All pharmaceutical products fall into one of three categories. They are:
Standard Benefits
These benefits include many over-the-counter and prescription drugs, plus medical devices, that are considered by VAC to represent "mainstay" therapies. About 80% of all drug benefits fall into this category and most bear a Drug Identification Number (DIN) assigned by Health Canada. All products on this formulary are readily accessible to eligible clients who have a prescription from their physician or dentist.
Special Authorization (SA) Benefits
These benefits provide eligible clients with higher level or higher cost therapies approved by VAC as part of a managed health care approach. To access benefits on this formulary, clients will need a prescription and must be able to demonstrate a medical need that is most appropriately met with the requested therapy.
Non-formulary Products
VAC may approve these items on an exceptional basis provided the client has a medical need and can clearly demonstrate that the product offers specific and necessary therapeutic value in the most reasonable and medically appropriate fashion.