Through the Special Drugs Program, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care covers the full cost of certain out-patient drugs used in the treatment of specific conditions. The Special Drugs Program covers :

• many drugs for the treatment of cystic fibrosis and thalassaemia;
• AZT, ddI, ddC and pentamadine for people who are HIV positive;
• Erythropoietin (EPO) for people with end stage renal disease;
• Cyclosporine for people who have had a solid organ or bone marrow transplant;
• human growth hormone for children with growth failure;
• Clozapine for treatment of schizophrenia;
• Alglucerase for people with Gaucher's Disease.

The Special Drugs Program will cover your costs for the above drugs if you :

• are an Ontario resident with valid Ontario health card; and
• are a patient with one of the diseases or conditions covered;
• meet the established clinical criteria; and/or
• are approved by a designated centre/physician for a specific drug product.

As a way for the ministry to ensure that the appropriate treatments for the diseases and conditions are prescribed, special facilities, usually at hospitals, have been designated to distribute these treatments. In some cases, special review committees have been established to ensure that the clinical criteria are met.

Speak with your doctor about the program, your potential for coverage and the locations near you where the treatments are available.

The Special Drugs Program does not have any deductibles or co-payments. If you meet conditions for coverage, you will not have to pay for any portion of your treatments.