Community pharmacists are reminded that most medications used in the direct treatment of cancer are provided to eligible Alberta patients at no cost through the Outpatient Cancer Drug Benefit Program.
In order for patients to receive the medications at no cost, the medications must be obtained from an Alberta Health Services Cancer Services pharmacy. There is no mechanism for reimbursement or billing to Alberta Health Services after the prescription has been filled. If a patient presents a prescription for cancer treatment medications to a community pharmacy, the pharmacist should determine whether the patient should be referred to a Cancer Services pharmacy.
If a patient presents a prescription for cancer treatment medications to a community pharmacy, the pharmacist should determine whether the patient should be referred to a Cancer Services pharmacy:
11560 University Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
T6G 1Z2
Telephone: 780-432-8771 (Switchboard)
Tom Baker Cancer Centre
1331 29 Street NW
Calgary, Alberta
T2N 4N2
Telephone: 403-521-3723 (Switchboard)
Central Alberta Cancer Centre
3942 50A Avenue
Red Deer, Alberta
T4N 4E7
Telephone: 403-343-4526 (Switchboard)
Grande Prairie Cancer Centre
10409 98 Street
Grande Prairie, Alberta
T8V 2E8
Telephone: 780-538-7588 (Switchboard)
Jack Ady Cancer Centre
960 9 Street S
Lethbridge, Alberta
T1J 1W5
Telephone: 403-388-6860 switchboard
Margery E. Yuill Cancer Centre
666 5 Street SW
Medicine Hat, Alberta
T1A 4H6
Telephone: 403-529-8817
To determine if a patient is eligible and/or whether the medication is included in the program, pharmacists can refer to the Outpatient Cancer Drug Benefit List located on the ACP website at:
https://pharmacists.ab.ca/provincial-legislation
As the list changes regularly, it is recommended that pharmacists refer to online version rather than relying on printed copies that may be out of date.
