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PIRFENIDONE

All products: not a benefit

M-Pirfenidone · DIN 02550652 · 801mg · tablet

Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefitMarketed · checked 2026-09-19
StatusOff-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit
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 ↗)
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 Pirfenidone Brand(s): Esbriet and generics (see formulary for OFIs) DOSAGE FORM/ STRENGTH: 267 mg capsule, 267 mg tablet, 801 mg tablet Initial approval criteria: For the treatment of adult patients with a diagnosis of mild to moderate idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF): • Diagnosis confirmed by a respirologist and a high-resolution CT scan. • All other causes of restrictive lung disease (e.g. collagen vascular disorder or hypersensitivity pneumonitis) should be excluded. • Mild to moderate IPF is defined as forced vital capacity (FVC) greater than or equal to 50% of predicted. • Patient is under the care of a physician with experience in IPF. Initial approval period: 7 months (allow 4 weeks for repeat pulmonary function tests) Initial renewal criteria (at 6 months): Patients must NOT demonstrate progression of disease defined as an absolute decline in percent predicted FVC of ≥10% from initiation of therapy until renewal (initial 6 month treatment period). If a patient has experienced progression as defined above, then the results should be validated with a confirmatory pulmonary function test conducted 4 weeks later. Approval period: 6 months Second and subsequent renewals (at 12 months and thereafter): Patients must NOT demonstrate progression of disease defined as an absolute decline in percent predicted FVC of ≥10% within any 12 month period. If a patient has experienced progression as defined above, then the results should be validated with a confirmatory pulmonary function test conducted 4 weeks later. Approval period: 12 months Documentation/information required: • If high-resolution CT scan is not available, lung biopsy may be provided to support the diagnosis of IPF as applicable and available • Full pulmonary function test results. Exclusion Criteria: Combination use of Esbriet (pirfenidone) and Ofev (nintedanib) will not be funded. 437 EAP source: eap-frequently-requested-drugs-2025-01-01.txt, page 437, record 267, corpus 2025-01-01; name match only, not an eligibility decision
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 ↗)
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
M-Pirfenidone · DIN 02550652 Manufacturer: Mantra Pharma Inc.; listing date 2025-03-31 Health Canada: Marketed since 2025-01-29 · brand M-PIRFENIDONE · ATC L04AX05 PIRFENIDONE · form Tablet · route Oral · ingredients PIRFENIDONE 801 MG · company Mantra pharma inc · schedule Prescription
Check this DIN again · Health Canada product record

M-Pirfenidone: Formulary list price $20.1360/unit (unit not stated in source; not the patient's cost)

Ministry pays: $20.1360 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=103944 · Verify on the e-Formulary ↗ (DIN 02550652)

Source record
The source extract's flag for this DIN is unclear — confirm on the e-Formulary before prescribing (DIN 02550652). DIN 02550652: M-Pirfenidone Raw flags: sec3=Y, sec3b=Y, sec3bEAP=Y Item: 480200004; group id 570; item number 1522; lccId None; manufacturer id MAT Source form: Tab; strength: 801mg Recorded listing: Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit; may be reimbursed through the Exceptional Access Program when approved (likely, unconfirmed) Source prices (unrounded): $20.1360; ministry $20.1360 Source: ODB odb-formulary-ed43-extract-2026-08-26.xml extract_date=2026-08-26 DIN=02550652 Health Canada DPD extract of Sep 2, 2026 (Open Government Licence – Canada) · https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/info?lang=eng&code=103944
Interchangeable products
Auro-Pirfenidone · DIN 02537761 · $20.1361 Esbriet · DIN 02464500 · $20.1361 Jamp Pirfenidone · DIN 02514710 · $20.1360 PMS-Pirfenidone · DIN 02531534 · $20.1360 Sandoz Pirfenidone Tablets · DIN 02488515 · $20.1360
Shortage status: not checked (no credentials)
Other drugs in the same formulary class (48:00 COUGH PREPARATIONS) and how they are covered

Matched class: 48:00 COUGH PREPARATIONS

Drug-class inventory only. Lists recorded Ontario formulary products, not every Canadian medication; does not recommend treatment. Some products covered without a code (check the product listing): DEXTROMETHORPHAN HBR, HYDROCODONE BITARTRATE 48:00 COUGH PREPARATIONS

NINTEDANIB

· 6 products · Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit · strengths: 100mg, 150mg · Cap Source: formulary-ed43-front-matter.txt Part V; ODB odb-formulary-ed43-extract-2026-08-26.xml extract_date=2026-08-26; class 48:00 48:04 Antitussives

DEXTROMETHORPHAN HBR

· 2 products · Listed, not a benefit (1), General benefit (1) · strengths: 3mg/mL · O/L

HYDROCODONE BITARTRATE

· 2 products · Listed, not a benefit (1), General benefit (1) · strengths: 1mg/mL · O/L Source: formulary-ed43-front-matter.txt Part V; ODB odb-formulary-ed43-extract-2026-08-26.xml extract_date=2026-08-26; class 48:04 48:08 Expectorants

GUAIFENESIN

· 3 products · Listed, not a benefit · strengths: 20mg/mL · O/L Source: formulary-ed43-front-matter.txt Part V; ODB odb-formulary-ed43-extract-2026-08-26.xml extract_date=2026-08-26; class 48:08
Full class listing Related classes: Same formulary class, not same indication: class membership alone does not establish equivalent uses.
Other drugs whose Health Canada label lists a similar indication: pulmonary fibrosis
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. No displayed matched alternative is a general benefit. NINTEDANIB · Off-Formulary Interchangeable, not an ODB benefit • The treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) PM: https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00077134.PDF; date JUN 25, 2015; DIN 02443066; fetched 2026-09-10 Product monograph Coverage source: ON formulary extract 2026-08-26
What the Health Canada label says it is for
1 INDICATIONS ESBRIET® (pirfenidone) is indicated for treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in adults. 1.1. Pediatrics Pediatrics (<18 years of age): The safety and effectiveness of ESBRIET in pediatric patients have not been established. 1.2. Geriatrics No dose adjustment is necessary in patients 65 years and older (see 10 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY). https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00073373.PDF PM date: November 9, 2023 Source product: ESBRIET; DIN 02464489; 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

Pirfenidone (Esbriet and generics (see formulary for OFIs))

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 adult patients with a diagnosis of mild to moderate idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF):

Ministry criteria corpus 2025-01-01; page 437

Pirfenidone Brand(s): Esbriet and generics (see formulary for OFIs) DOSAGE FORM/ STRENGTH: 267 mg capsule, 267 mg tablet, 801 mg tablet
Initial approval criteria:
For the treatment of adult patients with a diagnosis of mild to moderate idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF):
• Diagnosis confirmed by a respirologist and a high-resolution CT scan.
• All other causes of restrictive lung disease (e.g. collagen vascular disorder or hypersensitivity pneumonitis) should be excluded.
• Mild to moderate IPF is defined as forced vital capacity (FVC) greater than or equal to 50% of predicted.
• Patient is under the care of a physician with experience in IPF.
Initial approval period: 7 months (allow 4 weeks for repeat pulmonary function tests)
Initial renewal criteria (at 6 months):
Patients must NOT demonstrate progression of disease defined as an absolute decline in percent predicted FVC of ≥10% from initiation of therapy until renewal (initial 6 month treatment period). If a patient has experienced progression as defined above, then the results should be validated with a confirmatory pulmonary function test conducted 4 weeks later.
Approval period: 6 months
Second and subsequent renewals (at 12 months and thereafter):
Patients must NOT demonstrate progression of disease defined as an absolute decline in percent predicted FVC of ≥10% within any 12 month period. If a patient has experienced progression as defined above, then the results should be validated with a confirmatory pulmonary function test conducted 4 weeks later.
Approval period: 12 months
Documentation/information required:
• If high-resolution CT scan is not available, lung biopsy may be provided to support the diagnosis of IPF as applicable and available
• Full pulmonary function test results.
Exclusion Criteria: Combination use of Esbriet (pirfenidone) and Ofev (nintedanib) will not be funded.
437

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