Prescription Drug Program – Rare diseases

Rare Diseases Drug Program

The Alberta Rare Diseases Drug Program is the first of its kind in Canada. The new program will help Albertans with extremely rare genetic disorders to pay for their prescription drugs, which may cost between $250,000 to $1 million annually.

• The program came into effect on April 1, 2009.

What is a rare disease?

For this program, a rare disease is a genetic disorder that occurs in fewer than one in 50,000 Canadians or fewer than 50 Albertans. Diseases currently eligible for coverage consideration include:

• Gaucher’s disease;
• Fabry Disease;
• MPS-I (Hurler/Hurler Scheie);
• Hunter disease; and
• Pompe disease.

Who is eligible?

Albertans with rare diseases, who have government-sponsored drug coverage and whose physician has applied for coverage, will be considered.

• Read the Rare Disease Drug Program fact sheet

More information

• Interactive Drug Benefit List (iDBL)
• Alberta Pharmaceutical Strategy 

For more information, please submit general comments or questions using the online Questions and Comments form.