Medications for substance use disorder and to provide pharmaceutical alternatives to the contaminated illegal drug supply

Updated: May 15, 2020

This table provides an overview of public drug plan coverage.

It outlines coverage for medications used as treatment for substance use disorder and as alternatives to the contaminated illegal drug supply in each province and territory.

This information was compiled from public sources to respond to an urgent need for more details about potential care models. It is not exhaustive, and individuals should consult with their prescribers and reference their drug plan to determine options for their individual case.

It is important to note that some medications may not have indications for substance use disorder. Prescribing off-label is at the discretion of the medical practitioner, relying on:

their clinical judgement
evidence-based guidance and protocols from:

regulatory colleges
relevant organizations
various levels of government

This list may be updated, so please check back regularly.

Embedded links in the table direct to each provincial and territorial formulary.

Legend
Y = Covered
N = Not Covered

Name / Measurement	AB	BC	MB	NB	NL	NS	ON	PEI	QC	SK	NWT	NU	Yukon	NIHB^{Footnote *}
Opioids
Oral hydromorphone (Name Brand: Dilaudid (IR)) Doses are in mg	2 Y 4 Y 8 Y	2 Y 4 Y 8 Y	2 Y 4 Y 8 Y	2 Y 4 Y 8 Y	2 Y 4 Y 8 N	2 Y 4 Y 8 Y	2 Y 4 Y 8 Y	2 Y 4 Y 8 Y	2 Y 4 Y 8 Y	2 Y 4 Y 8 Y	2 Y 4 Y 8 Y	2 Y 4 Y 8 Y	2 Y 4 Y 8 Y	2 Y 4 Y 8 Y
Morphine Sustained Release (Name Brand: M-Eslon)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Injectable hydromorphone^{Footnote 1} Doses are in mg/mL	50 Y 100 N	50 N^{Footnote 2} 100 N	50 Y 100 N	50 Y 100 N	50 N 100 N	50 Y 100 N	50 N 100 N	50 Y 100 N	50 Y 100 N	50 Y 100 N	50 N 100 N	50 N 100 N	50 Y 100 N	50 Y^{Footnote 3} 100 N
Slow Release Oral Morphine (SROM) (Name Brand: Kadian)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Diacetylmorphine (Name Brand: Diaphin i.v.)	N	N^{Footnote 4}	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N	N
Stimulants
Dextroamphetamine (Name brand: Dexedrine SR)	Y	Y^{Footnote 5}	Y^{Footnote **}	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y^{Footnote ***}	Y
Methylphenidate IR (Name brand: Ritalin)	Y	Y	Y^{Footnote **}	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y^{Footnote ***}	Y
Methylphenidate SR (Name brand: Ritalin SR)	Y	Y	Y^{Footnote **}	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y^{Footnote ***}	Y
Benzodiazepines
Diazepam (Brand name: Valium)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y^{Footnote ***}	Y
Alprazolam (Brand name: Xanax)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y^{Footnote ***}	Y
Clonazepam (Brand name: Klonopin)	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y^{Footnote ***}	Y
This document is for informational purposes only. Please contact your drug plan to determine the coverage for your specific case. Footnote 1 Non-Insured Health Benefits through Indigenous Services Canada Return to footnote * referrer Footnote 2 Covered but with limitations (https://web22.gov.mb.ca/eFormulary/glossary.aspx#part_two_benefit) Return to footnote referrer Footnote 3 Covered but with limitations Return to footnote * referrer Table 1 - Note 1 NOTE: All plans seemed to cover a lower strength version of this (10mg/mL and sometimes 20mg/mL) Return to - Note 1 Table 1 - Note 2 HM 50mg/mL is not eligible for coverage for OAT – Special Authority coverage for this strength is specific for pain management and not for OAT. Return to - Note 2 Table 1 - Note 3 Effective January 22, 2020, hydromorphone injectable 50mg/mL is a limited use benefit for the treatment of severe opioid use disorder with all the following criteria found here: https://provider.express-scripts.ca/documents/Pharmacy/Bulletins/NIHB Pharmacy Update - FINAL.pdf Return to - Note 3 Table 1 - Note 4 Diacetylmorphine patients who wish to/are able to will continue to be provided with that drug. Return to - Note 4 Table 1 - Note 5 Dextroamphetamine IR is also eligible for coverage Return to - Note 5

Page details

Date modified:: 2020-06-15

Language selection

Search

Medications for substance use disorder and to provide pharmaceutical alternatives to the contaminated illegal drug supply

Page details