Public drug programs provide drug coverage for a specific population. Federal, provincial and territorial governments offer many different drug programs, most of which have defined criteria for eligibility that include things like age, income, conditions or diseases, or drug costs.
This page gives you an overview of the programs available and their eligibility criteria. It helps you understand program differences so you can interpret data about drug use and spending, and make comparisons.
See the Formulary coverage page for details about the drugs included in each program’s formulary.
Note: An asterisk identifies programs that do not submit data to CIHI’s NPDUIS.
| Jurisdiction | Program group | Programs | Benefit information | Eligibility criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Brunswick | Other | Correctional Services Program | Eligible prescription drugs for individuals in provincial correctional facilities |
Eligibility is assessed and determined by the Regional Health Authority staff at the correctional facility. |
| New Brunswick | Other | NB Drug Plans — Social Development Clients | Prescription drugs for eligible residents |
Individuals who hold a valid health card for prescription drugs issued by the Department of Social Development. |
| New Brunswick | Universal | NB Drug Plan | Prescription drug coverage for uninsured residents |
Residents with a valid Medicare card who do not have a drug plan, have a private plan that does not cover a drug or have reached a private plan's annual or lifetime drug coverage limit. |
| Quebec | Seniors | Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan | Eligible prescription drugs for individuals who do not have coverage through a private insurance plan |
Residents of all ages who do not have access to a private plan and recipients of a financial assistance program with claim slip. |
| Quebec | Low-income | Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan | Eligible prescription drugs for individuals who do not have coverage through a private insurance plan |
Residents of all ages who do not have access to a private plan and recipients of a financial assistance program with claim slip. |
| Quebec | Children’s drug plans | Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan | Eligible prescription drugs for individuals who do not have coverage through a private insurance plan |
Residents of all ages who do not have access to a private plan and recipients of a financial assistance program with claim slip. |
| Quebec | Universal | Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan | Eligible prescription drugs for individuals who do not have coverage through a private insurance plan |
Residents of all ages who do not have access to a private plan and recipients of a financial assistance program with claim slip. |
| Ontario | Seniors | Ontario Drug Benefit Program (ODB) | Eligible prescription drugs |
Residents 65 years and older, residents of long-term care homes, residents age 24 and under who are not covered by a private insurance plan and residents receiving social assistance through Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program. |
| Ontario | Low-income | Ontario Drug Benefit Program (ODB) | Eligible prescription drugs |
Residents 65 years and older, residents of long-term care homes, residents age 24 and under who are not covered by a private insurance plan and residents receiving social assistance through Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program. |
| Ontario | Long-term care | Ontario Drug Benefit Program (ODB) | Eligible prescription drugs |
Residents 65 years and older, residents of long-term care homes, residents age 24 and under who are not covered by a private insurance plan and residents receiving social assistance through Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program. |