The Special Drugs Program (SDP)

What does the program cover?

The Special Drugs Program (SDP) covers the full cost of certain outpatient drugs used to treat a number of serious conditions. These conditions include:

cystic fibrosis (a lung disease)
thalassaemia (a blood disease)
HIV infection (a disease of the immune system)
end stage kidney disease
a solid organ or bone marrow transplant
children with growth failure
schizophrenia
Gaucher's disease (a genetic disorder).

The drugs covered must be prescribed by a doctor, and must be obtained from a designated treatment centre. To learn more, see the Health Insurance Act, Regulation 552 Section 8. (2).

Am I eligible?

Talk to your doctor to find out if you may be covered under SDP and where you can get treatment. To qualify, all of these statements must apply to you:

I live in Ontario and have a valid health card which shows that I am entitled to health care services paid for by OHIP, and
I am a patient with one of the diseases or conditions covered, and
I am under the care of an Ontario doctor at a designated treatment centre for this disease or condition, and
the doctor has confirmed that my condition needs the drug(s) covered by the SDP.