Southern Alberta HIV Clinic

Information for Patients

Paying for Drugs

HIV Drugs

HIV drugs are dispensed through the Northern and Southern Alberta Clinics (or designated sites). They cannot be prescribed by general practitioners or obtained from community pharmacies.

Alberta Health and Wellness pays 100% of the cost of licensed HIV drugs that have been approved and listed on the provincial drug list. You must have a valid Alberta Personal Health care number to obtain HIV drugs free of charge. Contact Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) for further information on registering and maintaining coverage.

If you are unable to pay the AHCIP premiums, you may be eligible for premium subsidy or assistance. Contact either AHCIP for premium/subsidy assistance information or discuss this matter with the Southern Alberta Clinic social worker who will advise you on how to access the income tax information required by AHCIP and will help you complete the required forms. You can still access HIV drugs while this matter is worked out.

When you move from another province to Alberta, you are expected to obtain a three-month supply of anti-HIV drugs to cover your needs before your AHCIP coverage begins. Similarly, if you move from Alberta to another province, you will be provided with a three-month supply of these medications until your coverage is established in your new location.

Alberta Health & Wellness Approved HIV Drug List

Nucleoside/Nucleotide and Non-Nucleoside Reverse-Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs and NNRTIs)

Abacavir (Ziagen^Ž)
Abacavir + Lamivudine (Kivexa^Ž)
Didanosine (ddI, Videx^Ž)
Didanosine Enteric Coated (Videx^Ž EC)*
Efavirenz (Sustiva^Ž)
Emtricitabine + Tenofovir (Truvada^Ž)
Efavirenz + Emtricitabine + Tenofovir (Atripla^Ž)
Etravirine (Intelence^Ž)
Lamivudine (3TC^Ž)
Nevirapine (Viramune^Ž)
Stavudine (d4T, Zerit^Ž)
Tenofovir (Viread^Ž)
Zidovudine (AZT, Retrovir^Ž)
Zidovudine + Lamivudine (Combivir^Ž)
Zidovudine + Lamivudine + Abacavir (Trizivir^Ž)

Integrase Inhibitors

Raltegravir (Isentress^Ž)

Protease Inhibitors (PIs)

Atazanavir (Reyataz^Ž)
Fosamprenavir (Telzir^Ž)
Darunavir (Prezista^Ž)*
Indinavir (Crixivan^Ž)
Lopinavir + Ritonavir (Kaletra^Ž)
Nelfinavir (Viracept^Ž)
Ritonavir (Norvir^Ž)
Saquinavir (Invirase^Ž)
Tipranavir (Aptivus^Ž)

Fusion Inhibitors (FIs)

Enfuvirtide (Fuzeon^Ž)

*Some restrictions may apply.

Other Prescribed Drugs

In HIV care, physicians may prescribe other drugs you require, either on an ongoing basis or require once in a while to treat various conditions. Some of these drugs (like Septra^Ž and Dapsone^Ž) are relatively inexpensive, while others are very expensive.

If your employee benefits do not include drug insurance you should consider applying for Alberta Blue Cross Non-Group Coverage. This is a modest cost plan well worth investing in. For more information see www.ab.bluecross.ca.

Contact Alberta Blue Cross for more information and the application form. The Southern Alberta Clinic social worker can also assist you with this, particularly with the premium subsidy and/or helping you clear up your debt with the AHCIP so that you can become eligible for this drug plan.

There is a three month waiting period for this drug coverage to begin. Should you need assistance with drugs prior to your coverage beginning, you may be eligible for assistance from either Alberta Family and Social Services or the Southern Alberta Clinic's Small Change, Big Changes Emergency Drug Fund.

Special authorization to pay for a select number of prescribed drugs is required by Alberta Blue Cross to avoid misuse of incorrect prescribing. This is a simple procedure that is usually done by the clinic on your behalf. Alberta Blue Cross is usually able to respond to these special authorization requests within three working days.

Examples of Drugs Requiring Special Authorization

Rifabutin (Mycobutin^Ž)
Atovaquone (Mepron^Ž)
Certain nutritional supplements

If you find yourself unable to pay for a prescription talk to a Southern Alberta Clinic social worker or contact the nearest HIV/AIDS community support organization.

Useful Websites

Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)
www.health.alberta.ca/health-care-insurance-plan.html
Alberta Blue Cross
www.ab.bluecross.ca

Drug Information Sheets

Social Work: Financial Programs & Support

Moving to a New Province

Travelling or Living Abroad for Extended Periods

Quick Links

Return to Information for Patients Home




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They cannot be prescribed by general practitioners or obtained from community pharmacies. Alberta Health and Wellness pays 100% of the cost of licensed HIV drugs that have been approved and listed on the provincial drug list. You must have a valid Alberta Personal Health care number to obtain HIV drugs free of charge. Contact Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) for further information on registering and maintaining coverage. If you are unable to pay the AHCIP premiums, you may be eligible for premium subsidy or assistance. Contact either AHCIP for premium/subsidy assistance information or discuss this matter with the Southern Alberta Clinic social worker who will advise you on how to access the income tax information required by AHCIP and will help you complete the required forms. You can still access HIV drugs while this matter is worked out. When you move from another province to Alberta, you are expected to obtain a three-month supply of anti-HIV drugs to cover your needs before your AHCIP coverage begins. Similarly, if you move from Alberta to another province, you will be provided with a three-month supply of these medications until your coverage is established in your new location. Back to top Alberta Health & Wellness Approved HIV Drug List Nucleoside/Nucleotide and Non-Nucleoside Reverse-Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs and NNRTIs) Abacavir (Ziagen^Ž) Abacavir + Lamivudine (Kivexa^Ž) Didanosine (ddI, Videx^Ž) Didanosine Enteric Coated (Videx^Ž EC)* Efavirenz (Sustiva^Ž) Emtricitabine + Tenofovir (Truvada^Ž) Efavirenz + Emtricitabine + Tenofovir (Atripla^Ž) Etravirine (Intelence^Ž) Lamivudine (3TC^Ž) Nevirapine (Viramune^Ž) Stavudine (d4T, Zerit^Ž) Tenofovir (Viread^Ž) Zidovudine (AZT, Retrovir^Ž) Zidovudine + Lamivudine (Combivir^Ž) Zidovudine + Lamivudine + Abacavir (Trizivir^Ž) Integrase Inhibitors Raltegravir (Isentress^Ž) Protease Inhibitors (PIs) Atazanavir (Reyataz^Ž) Fosamprenavir (Telzir^Ž) Darunavir (Prezista^Ž)* Indinavir (Crixivan^Ž) Lopinavir + Ritonavir (Kaletra^Ž) Nelfinavir (Viracept^Ž) Ritonavir (Norvir^Ž) Saquinavir (Invirase^Ž) Tipranavir (Aptivus^Ž) Fusion Inhibitors (FIs) Enfuvirtide (Fuzeon^Ž) Some restrictions may apply. Back to top Other Prescribed Drugs In HIV care, physicians may prescribe other drugs you require, either on an ongoing basis or require once in a while to treat various conditions. Some of these drugs (like Septra^Ž and Dapsone^Ž) are relatively inexpensive, while others are very expensive. If your employee benefits do not include drug insurance you should consider applying for Alberta Blue Cross Non-Group Coverage. This is a modest cost plan well worth investing in. For more information see www.ab.bluecross.ca. Contact Alberta Blue Cross for more information and the application form. The Southern Alberta Clinic social worker can also assist you with this, particularly with the premium subsidy and/or helping you clear up your debt with the AHCIP so that you can become eligible for this drug plan. There is a three month waiting period for this drug coverage to begin. Should you need assistance with drugs prior to your coverage beginning, you may be eligible for assistance from either Alberta Family and Social Services or the Southern Alberta Clinic's Small Change, Big Changes Emergency Drug Fund. Special authorization to pay for a select number of prescribed drugs is required by Alberta Blue Cross to avoid misuse of incorrect prescribing. This is a simple procedure that is usually done by the clinic on your behalf. Alberta Blue Cross is usually able to respond to these special authorization requests within three working days. Examples of Drugs Requiring Special Authorization Rifabutin (Mycobutin^Ž) Atovaquone (Mepron^Ž) Certain nutritional supplements If you find yourself unable to pay for a prescription talk to a Southern Alberta Clinic social worker or contact the nearest HIV/AIDS community support organization. Back to top Useful Websites Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP)* www.health.alberta.ca/health-care-insurance-plan.html Alberta Blue Cross www.ab.bluecross.ca Back to top Related Pages Drug Information Sheets Social Work: Financial Programs & Support Moving to a New Province Travelling or Living Abroad for Extended Periods Back to top Quick Links Return to Information for Patients Home Back to top
	E-mail comments to Southern Alberta HIV Clinic Webmaster. Page last updated on: January 23, 2009