The New Drug Funding Program (NDFP) is one of four publicly funded drug programs under the Ontario Public Drug Programs (OPDP). Administered by Cancer Care Ontario, the NDFP funds new, and often very expensive, cancer drugs. The program was created in 1995 to ensure that Ontario patients have equal access to high-quality intravenous (IV) cancer drugs.

Historically, each hospital paid for its own IV cancer drugs, which led to unequal access at different hospitals across the province. Decisions were not always based on evidence about medical benefit and value for money. Now, drugs funded within the NDFP are supported by evidence from clinical guidelines, which ensure they are delivered according to the best standards of care.

The NDFP covers about 75% of the overall cost of all IV cancer drugs in Ontario. Hospitals cover the remaining 25%, for older IV cancer drugs that were approved before the NDFP was established.

Reimbursement for Cancer Drugs

• NDFP funds new and expensive hospital-based IV cancer drugs which have been evaluated and approved for coverage. A joint sub-committee of the province’s Committee to Evaluate Drugs (CED) and Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) makes a recommendation about medical benefit and cost-effectiveness of new cancer drugs and the CED then makes a recommendation about funding approval to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
• Approved community-based drugs (such as oral or injectable cancer drugs) are funded under OPDP's Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) and Trillium Drug Programs.
• NDFP does not fund cancer drugs administered in private clinics.
• NDFP does not reimburse individuals for the cost of cancer drugs. Instead, reimbursements are made to Ontario’s regional cancer centres (RCCs), Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), and over 80 community hospitals.
• Reimbursement is for the drug costs of those patients who meet the eligibility criteria for the specific approved drugs.