There are literally hundreds of cancer drugs available. Determining which ones should be used for which patients can be a daunting task for health care providers. Information is needed pertaining to what individual drugs do, how they should be administered, how effective they are, and how much they cost before deciding to use a specific drug.
Cancer Care Ontario helps by providing information and advice through our Drug Formulary, the New Drug Funding Program and the Program in Evidence-Based Care.
Drug Formulary
The CCO Drug Formulary is an information only resource providing online drug and regimen monographs reflecting the choices of chemotherapy used across Ontario. Supportive Care and Symptom Control Regimens, and Patient Information sheets are also available.
The Formulary is prepared for and mainly used by health care professionals providing cancer care, treatment and support. All information is reviewed and updated in a timely manner. Information is provided as a general reference and not intended to be considered as the only source of information, since standards of usage are constantly evolving. The use of this information is at your own risk and is subject to our Terms and Conditions.
New Drug Funding Program (NDFP)
The New Drug Funding Program (NDFP) was developed to make sure that all patients have equal access to new and expensive hospital-based IV drugs, regardless of where they live. It is one of four publicly funded drug programs under the Ontario Public Drug Programs (OPDP) and is administered through CCO.
The NDFP covers about 75% of the overall cost of all hospital-based IV cancer drugs in Ontario while hospitals cover the remaining 25%. Drugs funded under the NDFP undergo rigorous review of their clinical and cost-effectiveness by an independent subcommittee of the province’s Committee to Evaluate Drugs (CED) and Cancer Care Ontario. The CED makes the final recommendation about funding to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Drugs within the NDFP are reimbursed according to eligibility criteria based on CCO’s Program in Evidence-Based Care recommendations, which ensure drugs are used according to the best standard of care.
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