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

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ACYCLOVIR

All products: general benefit

Other products in the same Health Canada class (J05A, J05AB) — coverage varies; not interchangeable

  • Ganciclovir (Cytovene): general benefit
  • Valacyclovir (Valtrex): general benefit, Not a benefit
  • Famciclovir (Famvir): limited Use 147, Not a benefit
  • Remdesivir (Veklury): limited Use 722
  • Valganciclovir (Valcyte): limited Use 374, 568, 569, Limited Use 571, 572, 573
  • Abacavir + lamivudine + zidovudine (Trizivir): general benefit

48 more in the class list below

Apo-Acyclovir · DIN 02207656 · 800mg · tablet

General benefitMarketed · checked 2026-09-19
StatusGeneral benefit
Write on scriptno code needed
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.
Brand vs generic price
Lowest DBP recovery rule under medically necessary no-substitution claims: 6.2 Medically Necessary "No Substitution" Claims The Side Effect Reporting Form will not have to be renewed. However, the pharmacy must maintain a copy of the prescription that contains a direction that there be no substitution and the required Health Canada Side Effect Reporting Form (completed and signed by the prescriber). The prescriber must write “No Substitution” or “No Sub” on renewal or subsequent new written prescriptions, and indicate “No Substitution” on subsequent new oral prescriptions. The dispenser will be reimbursed the DBP plus a mark-up and the lesser of the posted usual and customary fee or the ODB dispensing fee minus the applicable ODB co-payment amount. Where a completed Side Effect Reporting Form is not available at the pharmacy during an inspection, the difference between the cost of the higher-cost product and the lowest DBP listed for the interchangeable category will be recovered. (ontario.ca, Revision #17; 2026-08-03 ↗) 6.2 Medically Necessary "No Substitution" Claims The Ministry will provide reimbursement of a higher-cost interchangeable product in medically necessary circumstances where a patient has experienced a significant adverse reaction with two (2) lower-cost interchangeable drug products, where available. When a prescriber identifies a patient for which it is medically necessary that a higher cost interchangeable product be provided, the prescriber must: • Complete, sign and forward to the pharmacist a copy of the Health Canada side effect reporting form for each lower-cost interchangeable drug product trialed (Side Effect Reporting Form[s]); and • Write “No Substitution” or “No Sub” on a written prescription or indicate “No Substitution” to the pharmacist in the case of a verbal prescription. The prescriber should keep a copy of the completed form in the patient’s record for future use and reference. In the case of a written prescription, when the pharmacist or dispensing physician receives a prescription with the written notation “No Substitution” or “No Sub”, reimbursement will be provided for the higher-cost interchangeable product only if the prescription is accompanied by a completed Health Canada Side Effect Reporting Form for each of the lower-cost interchangeable drug products trialed. This form must be completely filled out noting the details of the adverse reaction and signed by the prescriber. In the case of a verbal prescription, the prescriber must satisfy the operator of the pharmacy or dispensing physician that a completed Health Canada Side Effect Reporting Form for each of the lower-cost interchangeable drug products trialed has been completed and signed by the prescriber. A written record of this verbal prescription and the completed Health Canada Side Effect Reporting Form must be received by the pharmacy prior to claim submission. Upon receipt, the pharmacist must: • Fax, submit online or mail the completed and signed form to Health Canada’s Canada Vigilance Program; and • Retain his or her copy of the completed and signed Side Effect Reporting Form. (ontario.ca, Revision #17; 2026-08-03 ↗)
1 brand, same coverage
Apo-Acyclovir · DIN 02207656 Manufacturer: Apotex Inc.; listing date 1998-12-31 Health Canada: Marketed since 1997-08-22 · brand APO-ACYCLOVIR · ATC J05AB01 ACYCLOVIR · form Tablet · route Oral · ingredients ACYCLOVIR 800 MG · company Apotex inc · schedule Prescription
Check this DIN again · Health Canada product record

Apo-Acyclovir: Formulary list price $1.2673/unit (unit not stated in source; not the patient's cost)

Ministry pays: $1.2673 per source unit.

Source explanation: The formulary price is what ODB pays; the cash price at the counter is set by the pharmacy.

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=43020 · Verify on the e-Formulary ↗ (DIN 02207656)

Source record
DIN 02207656: Apo-Acyclovir Raw flags: sec3=Y Item: 081800002; group id 62; item number 0124; lccId None; manufacturer id APX Source form: Tab; strength: 800mg Recorded listing: General benefit Source prices (unrounded): $1.2673; ministry $1.2673 Source: ODB odb-formulary-ed43-extract-2026-08-26.xml extract_date=2026-08-26 DIN=02207656 Health Canada DPD extract of Sep 2, 2026 (Open Government Licence – Canada) · https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/info?lang=eng&code=43020
Interchangeable products
Mint-Acyclovir · DIN 02524724 · $1.2673 Mylan-Acyclovir · DIN 02242464 · $1.2673 Teva-Acyclovir · DIN 02285975 · $1.2673 Zovirax · DIN 01911635 · $1.2673
Shortage status: not checked (no credentials)
Other drugs in the same formulary class (08:18 Antivirals) and how they are covered

Matched class: 08:18 Antivirals

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: ABACAVIR & LAMIVUDINE & ZIDOVUDINE, ABACAVIR SULFATE, ABACAVIR SULFATE & LAMIVUDINE, BICTEGRAVIR SODIUM/EMTRICITABINE/TENOFOVIR ALAFENAMIDE HEMIFUMARATE, CABOTEGRAVIR, CABOTEGRAVIR & RILPIVIRINE, COBICISTAT & ELVITEGRAVIR & EMTRICITABINE & TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL FUMARATE, DARUNAVIR & COBICISTAT, DARUNAVIR & COBICISTAT & EMTRICITABINE & TENOFOVIR ALAFENAMIDE, DELAVIRDINE MESYLATE, DOLUTEGRAVIR, DOLUTEGRAVIR & ABACAVIR & LAMIVUDINE, DOLUTEGRAVIR & RILPIVIRINE, DOLUTEGRAVIR SODIUM/LAMIVUDINE, DORAVIRINE, DORAVIRINE/LAMIVUDINE/TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL FUMARATE, EFAVIRENZ/TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL FUMARATE/EMTRICITABINE, ELVITEGRAVIR & COBICISTAT & EMTRICITABINE & TENOFOVIR ALAFENAMIDE, EMTRICITABINE & RILPIVIRINE HCL & TENOFOVIR ALAFENAMIDE HEMIFUMARATE, EMTRICITABINE & RILPIVIRINE HCL & TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL, EMTRICITABINE & TENOFOVIR DISOPROXIL FUMARATE, ETRAVIRINE, FOSAMPRENAVIR CALCIUM, GANCICLOVIR SODIUM, LAMIVUDINE & ZIDOVUDINE, LOPINAVIR & RITONAVIR, MARAVIROC, NELFINAVIR MESYLATE, RALTEGRAVIR POTASSIUM, RILPIVIRINE HYDROCHLORIDE, RITONAVIR Some products covered without a code (check the product listing): ATAZANAVIR SULFATE, DARUNAVIR, EFAVIRENZ, LAMIVUDINE, NEVIRAPINE, VALACYCLOVIR 08:18 Antivirals

GANCICLOVIR SODIUM

· 1 products · General benefit · strengths: 500mg/Vial · Pd Inj-10mL Pk

VALACYCLOVIR

· 21 products · General benefit (13), Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit (8) · strengths: 500mg, 1000mg · Tab

FAMCICLOVIR

· 6 products · Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit (4), Limited Use, codes 147 (2) · strengths: 125mg, 250mg, 500mg · Tab

REMDESIVIR

· 1 products · Limited Use, codes 722 · strengths: 100mg/vial · Pd for Sol-100mg Vial Pk

VALGANCICLOVIR

· 6 products · Limited Use, codes 571, 572, 573 (2), Limited Use, codes 374, 568, 569 (4) · strengths: 50mg/mL, 450mg · Pd for Oral Sol-100mL Pk, Tab

ABACAVIR & LAMIVUDINE & ZIDOVUDINE

· 2 products · General benefit · strengths: 300mg & 150mg & 300mg · Tab

ABACAVIR SULFATE

· 4 products · General benefit · strengths: 20mg/mL, 300mg · O/L, Tab

ABACAVIR SULFATE & LAMIVUDINE

· 7 products · General benefit · strengths: 600mg & 300mg · Tab

ATAZANAVIR SULFATE

· 12 products · General benefit (8), Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit (4) · strengths: 150mg, 200mg, 300mg · Cap

BICTEGRAVIR SODIUM/EMTRICITABINE/TENOFOVIR ALAFENAMIDE HEMIFUMARATE

· 1 products · General benefit · strengths: 50mg & 200mg & 25mg · Tab

CABOTEGRAVIR

· 3 products · General benefit · strengths: 200mg/mL, 30mg · Inj Sol-ER Susp 3mL Vial Kit Pk, Tab

CABOTEGRAVIR & RILPIVIRINE

· 2 products · General benefit · strengths: 200mg/mL & 300mg/mL · Inj Sol-2mL Kit, Inj Sol-3mL Kit Source: formulary-ed43-front-matter.txt Part V; ODB odb-formulary-ed43-extract-2026-08-26.xml extract_date=2026-08-26; class 08:18 and 42 more
Full class listing Related classes: 08:08 Anthelmintics, 08:12 Antibiotics, 08:14 Antifungals, 08:16 Antitubercular Agents, 08:20 Plasmodicides (Antimalarials), 08:24 Sulfonamides, 08:30 Antiprotozoals, 08:32 Trichomonacides, 08:36 Urinary Anti-Infectives, 08:40 Miscellaneous Anti-Infectives 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 Zovirax (acyclovir 5%) cream is indicated for the topical management of initial episodes of genital herpes simplex infections. The prophylactic use of this preparation has not been established. Zovirax (acyclovir 5%) ointment is for the management of initial episodes of genital herpes simplex infections. It is also indicated in the management of non-life-threatening cutaneous herpes simplex virus infections in immunocompromised patients. The prophylactic use of this preparation has not been established. Pr ZOVIRAX ® Product Monograph Page 2 of 32 In the treatment of genital herpes, appropriate examinations should be performed to rule out other sexually transmitted diseases. Therapy should begin as early as possible after the start of an infection. Whereas cutaneous lesions associated with herpes simplex infections are often pathognomonic, TZANCK smears prepared from lesion exudate or scrapings may assist in the diagnosis. Positive cultures for herpes simplex virus offer the only absolute means for confirmation of the diagnosis. These indications are based on … https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00059349.PDF PM date: December 22, 2020 Source product: ZOVIRAX; DIN 00569771; fetched 2026-09-10 Product monograph posted by Health Canada; excerpt for lookup only.