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Ontario coverage, price, criteria word for word, Health Canada status and shortages for one product

Patient plan: look up a medication list

METHYLPHENIDATE HCL

All products: not a benefit

Other products in the same Health Canada class (N06BA) — coverage varies; not interchangeable

  • Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine Spansules): general benefit
  • Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse): general benefit, Not a benefit
  • Mixed salt amphetamine (Adderall XR): general benefit
  • Modafinil (Alertec): not a benefit

Ritalin · DIN 00005614 · 20mg · tablet

Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit; Health Canada lists this DIN as Cancelled post market since 2019-11-07 — choose a marketed DIN from the same-category list.Discontinued 2019-11-07 · checked 2026-09-20
StatusOff-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit; Health Canada lists this DIN as Cancelled post market since 2019-11-07 — choose a marketed DIN from the same-category list.
Write on scriptnot a benefit; no Exceptional Access criteria on record; see alternatives; Health Canada lists this DIN as Cancelled post market since 2019-11-07 — choose a marketed DIN from the same-category list.
Patient paysPatient pays: program not supplied; amount cannot be determined.
Private plan unknown: ask. If yes, check its coverage and payer coordination; if no, see the public routes below.
1 brand, same coverage
Ritalin · DIN 00005614 Manufacturer: Novartis Pharma Canada Inc.; listing date 2008-01-15 Health Canada: Cancelled post market since 2019-11-07 · brand RITALIN 20MG · ATC N06BA04 METHYLPHENIDATE · form Tablet · route Oral · ingredients METHYLPHENIDATE HYDROCHLORIDE 20 MG · company Novartis pharmaceuticals canada inc · schedule Controlled drugs (cdsa iii)
Check this DIN again · Health Canada product record

Ritalin: Formulary list price not recorded/unit (unit not stated in source; not the patient's cost)

Formulary data: Ontario extract of Aug 26, 2026 · Health Canada DPD extract of Sep 2, 2026 (Open Government Licence – Canada) · https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/info?lang=eng&code=801 · Verify on the e-Formulary ↗ (DIN 00005614)

Source record
DIN 00005614: Ritalin Raw flags: notABenefit=Y, sec3=Y, sec3b=Y Item: 282000039; group id 516; item number 1398; lccId None; manufacturer id NOV Source form: Tab; strength: 20mg Recorded listing: Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit Source prices (unrounded): not recorded; ministry not recorded Source: ODB odb-formulary-ed43-extract-2026-08-26.xml extract_date=2026-08-26 DIN=00005614 Health Canada DPD extract of Sep 2, 2026 (Open Government Licence – Canada) · https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/info?lang=eng&code=801
Interchangeable products
Apo-Methylphenidate · DIN 02249332 · not recorded PMS-Methylphenidate · DIN 00585009 · not recorded
Shortage status: not checked (no credentials)
Health Canada lists this DIN as Cancelled post market since 2019-11-07 — choose a marketed DIN from the same-category list.
Other drugs in the same formulary class (28:20 C.N.S. Stimulants) and how they are covered

Matched class: 28:20 C.N.S. Stimulants

Drug-class inventory only. Lists recorded Ontario formulary products, not every Canadian medication; does not recommend treatment. Covered without a code on the Ontario formulary: DEXTROAMPHETAMINE SULFATE, MIXED SALT AMPHETAMINE Some products covered without a code (check the product listing): LISDEXAMFETAMINE DIMESYLATE 28:20 C.N.S. Stimulants

DEXTROAMPHETAMINE SULFATE

· 6 products · General benefit · strengths: 10mg, 15mg, 5mg · SR Cap, Tab

LISDEXAMFETAMINE DIMESYLATE

· 60 products · General benefit (54), Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit (6) · strengths: 10mg, 20mg, 30mg, 40mg, 50mg, 60mg, 70mg · Cap, Chew Tab

MIXED SALT AMPHETAMINE

· 24 products · General benefit · strengths: 5mg, 10mg, 15mg, 20mg, 25mg, 30mg · ER Cap

MODAFINIL

· 7 products · Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit · strengths: 100mg · Tab Source: formulary-ed43-front-matter.txt Part V; ODB odb-formulary-ed43-extract-2026-08-26.xml extract_date=2026-08-26; class 28:20
Full class listing Related classes: 28:08 Analgesics, 28:10 Opiate Antagonists, 28:12 Anticonvulsants, 28:16 Psychotherapeutic Agents, 28:24 Sedatives and Hypnotics, 28:36 Antiparkinsonian Agents, 28:92 Miscellaneous Central Nervous System Drugs Same formulary class, not same indication: class membership alone does not establish equivalent uses.
Other drugs whose Health Canada label lists a similar indication: an integral part of a total treatment program for adhd that may include other measures
From Health Canada product monographs; label wording only, not a treatment recommendation. Matching is lexical and uses one held product label per generic; formulations and qualifying criteria may differ. Covered without a code on the Ontario formulary: DEXTROAMPHETAMINE SULFATE, MIXED SALT AMPHETAMINE ATOMOXETINE HCL · Listed, not a benefit (5), General benefit (40), Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit (14) Need for Comprehensive Treatment Program TEVA-ATOMOXETINE is indicated as an integral part of a total treatment program for ADHD that may include other measures (psychological, educational, and social) for patients with this syndrome. PM: https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00052053.PDF; date July 2, 2019; DIN 02314541; fetched 2026-09-10 Product monograph DEXTROAMPHETAMINE SULFATE · General benefit Need for Comprehensive Treatment Program: DEXEDRINE/DEXEDRINE SPANSULE is indicated as an integral part of a total treatment program for ADHD that may include other measures (psychological, educational and social) for patients with this syndrome. PM: https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00083629.PDF; date FEB 25, 2026; DIN 01924516; fetched 2026-09-10 Product monograph GUANFACINE · Limited Use, codes 540 Need for Comprehensive Treatment Program INTUNIV XR is indicated as an integral part of a total treatment program for ADHD that may include other measures (psychological, educational/vocational, social) for patients with this syndrome. PM: https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00082036.PDF; date not captured; DIN 02409100; fetched 2026-09-10 Product monograph LISDEXAMFETAMINE DIMESYLATE · General benefit (54), Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit (6) Need for Comprehensive Treatment Program VYVANSE is indicated as an integral part of a total treatment program for ADHD that may include other measures (psychological, educational/vocational, social) for patients with this syndrome. PM: https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00081828.PDF; date 2025-09-15; DIN 02322951; fetched 2026-09-10 Product monograph MIXED SALT AMPHETAMINE · General benefit Indications ADDERALL XR (mixed salts amphetamine extended-release capsules) is indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in: • Children (6 – 12 years of age) • Adolescents (13 – 17 years of age) • Adults (18 years of age or older) Need for Comprehensive Treatment Program ADDERALL XR is indicated as an integral part of a total treatment program for ADHD that may include other measures (psychological, educational, social) for patients with this syndrome. PM: https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00081719.PDF; date 2025-09-12; DIN 02248808; fetched 2026-09-10 Product monograph Coverage source: ON formulary extract 2026-08-26
What the Health Canada label says it is for
INDICATION AND CLINICAL USE pms-METHYLPHENIDATE is indicated for the treatment of:  Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Need for Comprehensive Treatment Program pms-METHYLPHENIDATE is indicated as an integral part of a total treatment program for ADHD that may include other measures (psychological, educational, social) for patients with this syndrome. Drug treatment may not be indicated for all patients with this syndrome. Drug treatment is not intended for use in the patient who exhibits symptoms secondary to environmental factors and/or other primary psychiatric disorders, including psychosis. Appropriate educational placement is essential in children and adolescents with this diagnosis and psychosocial intervention is often helpful. When remedial measures alone are insufficient, the decision to prescribe drug treatment medication will depend upon the healthcare professional’s assessment of the chronicity and severity of the patient’s symptoms. Long-Term Use The effectiveness of Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Tablets for long-term use, i.e. for more than 4 weeks has not been systematically evaluated in placebo-controlled trials. Therefore, the healthcare profe… https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00068339.PDF PM date: October 17, 2022 Source product: PMS-METHYLPHENIDATE; DIN 00584991; fetched 2026-09-10 Product monograph posted by Health Canada; excerpt for lookup only.

Other review policies

For Ritalin: no applicable EAP criteria are held and no ODB benefit is established. These policies do not establish coverage.

For rare, immediately life-, limb- or organ-threatening circumstances, the Compassionate Review Policy may consider an unfunded drug or indication, subject to its criteria and without bypassing the drug review process. Compassionate Review Policy

Compassionate Review Policy: source quote
Where there are rare clinical circumstances in immediately life, limb, or organ-threatening conditions, the Executive Officer will also consider requests for drugs or indications in situations where there has not been a decision by the Executive Officer to provide funding of the drug or indication as part of the Ontario Drug Benefit program (and the EAP), and the drug or indication requested would not circumvent the established review process for new drugs or indications as part of the drug submission process for listing within the Ontario Drug Benefit program. Requests must meet the criteria for the Compassionate Review Policy.

Ontario source; updated September 15, 2026

For cancer drugs, Case-by-Case Review considers rare, immediately life-threatening circumstances when no satisfactory funded treatment exists; its criteria and application process apply. Case-by-Case Review (cancer drugs)

Case-by-Case Review (cancer drugs): source quote
Note: Requests for cancer drugs are considered under the Case-by-Case Review Program (CBCRP) which is administered by Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) on behalf of the Ministry of Health. The CBCRP considers funding requests for drugs (both oral therapies and injectable drugs) for the treatment of cancer in patients who have a rare clinical circumstance that is immediately life-threatening (death is likely within a matter of months) and who require treatment with an unfunded drug, because there is no other satisfactory and funded treatment. Please refer to the Ontario Health website for information on the application process, FAQs, eligibility criteria and program policies.

Ontario source; updated September 15, 2026