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PAMIDRONATE DISODIUM

All injection strengths: not a benefit

Other products in the same Health Canada class (M05B, M05BA) — coverage varies; not interchangeable

  • Alendronate (Fosamax): general benefit, Not a benefit
  • Risedronate (Actonel DR): general benefit, Not a benefit
  • Clodronate (Ostac): limited Use 280, 358, 359, Not a benefit
  • Etidronate (Didronel): limited Use 236, 237, Not a benefit
  • Zoledronic acid (Aclasta): limited Use 319, 436, 523, Not a benefit
  • Alendronate + cholecalciferol (Fosavance): general benefit

1 more in the class list below

Aredia · DIN 02059762 · 3mg/mL · injection solution-10mL Vial

Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit; Health Canada lists this DIN as Cancelled post market since 2016-02-23 — choose a marketed DIN from the same-category list.Discontinued 2016-02-23 · checked 2026-09-19
StatusOff-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit; Health Canada lists this DIN as Cancelled post market since 2016-02-23 — choose a marketed DIN from the same-category list.
Write on scriptExceptional Access application required. For a drug to be considered for funding, the EAP reimbursement criteria must always be met and the request approved prior to the initiation of treatment with the drug being requested, unless otherwise specified within the criteria. (ontario.ca, Aug 31, 2026 ↗) Submit through SADIE: "The SADIE portal is available to authorized prescribers and their delegates and designates, enabling the creation, submission and tracking of web-based electronic requests directly to the Exceptional Access Program." (ontario.ca, Aug 31, 2026 ↗); Health Canada lists this DIN as Cancelled post market since 2016-02-23 — 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.

Ministry criteria list dated January 1, 2025; the program's current criteria may differ; SADIE shows the current version. Current criteria in SADIE

Coverage criteria
Exceptional Access Program criteria on record (ministry list dated 2025-01-01, not exhaustive): Ministry criteria list dated January 1, 2025; the program's current criteria may differ; SADIE shows the current version. https://www.ontario.ca/page/sadie-special-authorization-digital-information-exchange Pamidronate Brand(s): Many Generics DOSAGE FORM/ STRENGTH: 3 mg/mL, 6 mg/mL, 9 mg/mL For the treatment of tumor-induced/malignancy-related hypercalcemia in a palliative care patient. Standard Approval Duration: 12 months 474 High Dose Opioids Effective January 31, 2017, meperidine 50mg tabs and the higher strengths of long-acting opioids including: morphine SR 200mg tabs; hydromorphone CR 24mg and 30 mg caps and fentanyl 75mcg/hr and 100mcg/hr patches were delisted from the ODB Formulary. Access to the higher strengths of long-acting opioids is currently maintained for patients requiring palliative care through the ODB program’s: 1. Palliative Care Facilitated Access (PCFA) mechanism, for prescribers (physicians or nurse practitioners) who are registered PCFA prescribers with their professional associations; AND 2. Exceptional Access Program (EAP) Telephone Request Service (TRS) for physicians who are not PCFA prescribers, according to specific criteria. i) Use of the high-strength opioid must be for a patient considered to have a progressive life-limiting illness requiring palliative care. ii) The use of the high-strength opioid can be for pain or for symptom management. iii) Prescriber must have a consult from a PCFA-registered prescriber with OMA; CPSO of the PCFA-registered prescriber or NPAO or RNAO; license numbers must be provided. Standard Approval Duration: 12 months Renewals are considered with same criteria as above. A new consult from a PCFA- registered prescriber must be provided for each renewal. Post-transplant Drugs EAP source: eap-frequently-requested-drugs-2025-01-01.txt, page 474, record 316, corpus 2025-01-01; name match only, not an eligibility decision
How long EAP takes
Turnaround times The Exceptional Access Program receives between 250 and 500 requests a day. Requests are categorized in order of priority based on how quickly a drug is needed, the type of drug, and the condition for which the drug is being used. Turnaround times begin on the business day on which the EAP receives a complete request from a physician or nurse practitioner. You may have to wait longer if the request is missing information or supporting documents required by the EAP criteria, if a request requires external review, or if documents are sent by fax or mail instead of submitted via SADIE. EAP Weekly Progress Report Date: September 15, 2026 Processing categories and examples | Target | Current | Priority 1 — for drugs such as antibiotics, cancer medications, and initial requests for pain medications | 3 business days | 2 business day | Priority 2 — for antiviral drugs to treat HIV, drugs for multiple sclerosis, and pulmonary hypertension | 5 business days | 3 business days | Biologics — for biologic drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease | 10 business days | 4 business days | Chronic — for drugs used for chronic conditions such as migraines, chronic pain, Ménière's disease and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. | 4 to 6 weeks | 11 business days | (ontario.ca, Updated September 15, 2026 ↗) For selected drugs, the Telephone Request Service is available to authorized prescribers or their delegates. In most cases, the funding decision is provided by the end of the call and processed within one business day. (ontario.ca, Updated September 15, 2026 ↗)
1 brand, same coverage
Aredia · DIN 02059762 Manufacturer: Novartis Pharma Canada Inc.; listing date 2007-07-12 Health Canada: Cancelled post market since 2016-02-23 · brand AREDIA 30MG · ATC M05BA03 PAMIDRONIC ACID · form Powder for solution · route Intravenous · ingredients PAMIDRONATE DISODIUM 30 MG/VIAL · company Novartis pharmaceuticals canada inc · schedule Prescription
Check this DIN again · Health Canada product record

Aredia: 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=19020 · Verify on the e-Formulary ↗ (DIN 02059762)

Source record
DIN 02059762: Aredia Raw flags: sec3=Y, sec3b=Y Item: 920000562; group id 946; item number 2249; lccId None; manufacturer id NOV Source form: Inj Sol-10mL Vial; strength: 3mg/mL 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=02059762 Health Canada DPD extract of Sep 2, 2026 (Open Government Licence – Canada) · https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/info?lang=eng&code=19020
Interchangeable products
Pamidronate Disodium Omega · DIN 02249669 · $86.7800 Pamidronate Disodium for Injection · DIN 02246597 · $86.7800
Shortage status: not checked (no credentials)
Health Canada lists this DIN as Cancelled post market since 2016-02-23 — choose a marketed DIN from the same-category list.
Other drugs in the same formulary class (92:00 UNCLASSIFIED THERAPEUTIC AGENTS) and how they are covered

Matched class: 92:00 UNCLASSIFIED THERAPEUTIC AGENTS

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: ALENDRONATE & CHOLECALCIFEROL, AZATHIOPRINE, CYCLOSPORINE, GLUCAGON RDNA ORIGIN, LANREOTIDE ACETATE, LEFLUNOMIDE, LEVODOPA & BENSERAZIDE, MYCOPHENOLATE SODIUM Some products covered without a code (check the product listing): ALENDRONATE, ALLOPURINOL, AMANTADINE HCL, BROMOCRIPTINE, CLOPIDOGREL BISULFATE, LEVODOPA & CARBIDOPA, MYCOPHENOLATE MOFETIL, OCTREOTIDE, RISEDRONATE SODIUM, ROPINIROLE, SELEGILINE HCL, TAMSULOSIN HCL 92:00 UNCLASSIFIED THERAPEUTIC AGENTS

ALENDRONATE

· 28 products · Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit (4), Listed, not a benefit (1), General benefit (23) · strengths: 5mg, 10mg, 70mg · Tab

RISEDRONATE SODIUM

· 23 products · General benefit (20), Listed, not a benefit (3) · strengths: 35mg, 5mg, 30mg, 150mg · DR Tab, Tab

CLODRONATE DISODIUM

· 2 products · Listed, not a benefit (1), Limited Use, codes 280, 358, 359 (1) · strengths: 400mg · Cap

ETIDRONATE DISODIUM

· 2 products · Listed, not a benefit (1), Limited Use, codes 236, 237 (1) · strengths: 200mg · Tab

ZOLEDRONIC ACID

· 12 products · Limited Use, codes 319, 436, 523 (2), Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit (10) · strengths: 5mg/100mL, 4mg/5mL · Inj Sol-100mL Pk (Preservative-Free), Inj Sol-5mL Pk (Preservative-Free)

ALENDRONATE & CHOLECALCIFEROL

· 6 products · General benefit · strengths: 70mg & 70mcg, 70mg & 140mcg · Tab

DENOSUMAB

· 8 products · Limited Use, codes 687, 688 (4), Limited Use, codes 686 (4) · strengths: 60mg/mL, 120mg/1.7mL · Inj Sol-1.0mL Pref Syr Pk (Preservative-Free), Inj Sol-Pref Syr, Inj Sol-Pref Syr (Preservative-Free), Inj Sol-Vial Pk, Inj Sol-Vial Pk (Preservative-Free)

ALLOPURINOL

· 10 products · General benefit (6), Listed, not a benefit (4) · strengths: 100mg, 200mg, 300mg · Tab

AMANTADINE HCL

· 5 products · Listed, not a benefit (2), General benefit (3) · strengths: 100mg, 10mg/mL · Cap, O/L

AZATHIOPRINE

· 3 products · General benefit · strengths: 50mg · Tab

BROMOCRIPTINE

· 4 products · Listed, not a benefit (2), General benefit (2) · strengths: 5mg, 2.5mg · Cap, Tab

CLOPIDOGREL BISULFATE

· 19 products · General benefit (16), Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit (3) · strengths: 75mg, 300mg · Tab Source: formulary-ed43-front-matter.txt Part V; ODB odb-formulary-ed43-extract-2026-08-26.xml extract_date=2026-08-26; class 92:00 and 75 more
Full class listing Related classes: Same formulary class, not same indication: class membership alone does not establish equivalent uses.
What the Health Canada label says it is for
INDICATIONS AND CLINICAL USE  Tumor-induced hypercalcemia following adequate saline rehydration. Prior to treatment with Pamidronate Disodium for Injection (pamidronate disodium), renal excretion of excess calcium should be promoted by restoring and maintaining adequate fluid balance and urine output.  Conditions associated with increased osteoclast activity: predominantly lytic bone metastases and multiple myeloma.  Symptomatic Paget's disease of bone. https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00050142.PDF PM date: March 12, 2019 Source product: PAMIDRONATE DISODIUM FOR INJECTION; DIN 02246597; fetched 2026-09-10 Product monograph posted by Health Canada; excerpt for lookup only.

Prepare an Exceptional Access request

SADIE has its own form for many drugs; this checklist prepares the answers; the ministry decides. Open SADIE

Use this text in SADIE’s free-text fields or read from it on a Telephone Request Service call. Review marks do not indicate eligibility. Evidence stays in this page until you copy it; nothing entered here is sent or saved. Do not enter patient identifiers.

EAP Telephone Request Service: The TRS can be accessed by calling toll-free at 1-866-811-9893 or 416-327-8109 (Toronto area) between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (except holidays) and selecting the TRS option. Source; updated September 15, 2026

EAP fax: In Ontario: 1-866-811-9908 or 416-327-7526 (Toronto area). Outside Ontario: 1-833-905-4260. Source; updated September 15, 2026

Posted turnaround and Telephone Request Service scope
Turnaround times The Exceptional Access Program receives between 250 and 500 requests a day. Requests are categorized in order of priority based on how quickly a drug is needed, the type of drug, and the condition for which the drug is being used. Turnaround times begin on the business day on which the EAP receives a complete request from a physician or nurse practitioner. You may have to wait longer if the request is missing information or supporting documents required by the EAP criteria, if a request requires external review, or if documents are sent by fax or mail instead of submitted via SADIE. EAP Weekly Progress Report Date: September 15, 2026 Processing categories and examples | Target | Current | Priority 1 — for drugs such as antibiotics, cancer medications, and initial requests for pain medications | 3 business days | 2 business day | Priority 2 — for antiviral drugs to treat HIV, drugs for multiple sclerosis, and pulmonary hypertension | 5 business days | 3 business days | Biologics — for biologic drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease | 10 business days | 4 business days | Chronic — for drugs used for chronic conditions such as migraines, chronic pain, Ménière's disease and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. | 4 to 6 weeks | 11 business days |
For selected drugs, the Telephone Request Service is available to authorized prescribers or their delegates. In most cases, the funding decision is provided by the end of the call and processed within one business day.
Source; updated September 15, 2026

Pamidronate (Many Generics)

Ministry criteria list dated January 1, 2025; the program's current criteria may differ; SADIE shows the current version. Current criteria in SADIE

Prepare answers: For the treatment of tumor-induced/malignancy-related hypercalcemia in a palliative care patient.

Ministry criteria corpus 2025-01-01; page 474

Pamidronate Brand(s): Many Generics DOSAGE FORM/ STRENGTH: 3 mg/mL, 6 mg/mL, 9 mg/mL
For the treatment of tumor-induced/malignancy-related hypercalcemia in a palliative care patient.
Standard Approval Duration: 12 months
474 High Dose Opioids Effective January 31, 2017, meperidine 50mg tabs and the higher strengths of long-acting opioids including: morphine SR 200mg tabs; hydromorphone CR 24mg and 30 mg caps and fentanyl 75mcg/hr and 100mcg/hr patches were delisted from the ODB Formulary.
Access to the higher strengths of long-acting opioids is currently maintained for patients requiring palliative care through the ODB program’s:
1. Palliative Care Facilitated Access (PCFA) mechanism, for prescribers (physicians or nurse practitioners) who are registered PCFA prescribers with their professional associations; AND
2. Exceptional Access Program (EAP) Telephone Request Service (TRS) for physicians who are not PCFA prescribers, according to specific criteria.
i) Use of the high-strength opioid must be for a patient considered to have a progressive life-limiting illness requiring palliative care. ii) The use of the high-strength opioid can be for pain or for symptom management. iii) Prescriber must have a consult from a PCFA-registered prescriber with OMA; CPSO of the PCFA-registered prescriber or NPAO or RNAO; license numbers must be provided.
Standard Approval Duration: 12 months
Renewals are considered with same criteria as above. A new consult from a PCFA- registered prescriber must be provided for each renewal.
Post-transplant Drugs

Prepared from the ministry's published criteria; eligibility is decided by the Exceptional Access Program.