What drugs are covered?

The Alberta Drug Benefit List (ADBL) is a comprehensive list of drugs covered by health plans sponsored by the Government of Alberta.

The ADBL is designed for use by pharmacists, doctors and other medical professionals as a general reference. Alberta Blue Cross^® administers government-sponsored drug programs according to policies and procedures set by Alberta Health and as described in the ADBL.

How do drugs become eligible for coverage in the ADBL?

An expert committee, comprised of health professionals with expertise in evaluating drugs, provide recommendations to the Minister of Health regarding the special authorization coverage criteria. The Minister of Health makes the final decision regarding the coverage criteria that is published the ADBL.

How are the drugs listed in the ADBL categorized?

Drugs and drug products listed on the ADBL may be categorized as “regular” benefits or “Special Authorization.” Most drugs are classified as “regular” benefits, which means they’re are covered without any special conditions or limitations. The ADBL applies to everyone who is on a Government of Alberta Health plan that includes drug coverage.

To learn more about Special Authorization benefits, visit the Special Authorization page.

Drug Benefit Supplements

Certain government-sponsored health benefit programs cover additional drugs not listed in the ADBL. These additional drugs are listed in Drug Benefit Supplements.

Albertans on low-income benefit plans can access additional drugs listed in the Alberta Human Services Drug Benefit Supplement (HSDBS).
Albertans who receive palliative coverage can access additional drugs listed in the Palliative Coverage Drug Benefit Supplement (PCDBS).

Both low-income benefit plans and the Palliative Coverage program also cover drugs listed in the ADBL.

Drugs covered by health plans sponsored by the Government of Alberta are listed in the Alberta Drug Benefit List.

Further information

Search the Interactive Drug Benefit Lists

The iDBL is a real-time document that is updated daily.

Frequently asked questions

The following questions will help guide you through the use and purpose of the Drug Benefits Lists, interactive Drug Benefit Lists and related publications.

Printable Drug Benefit List and Related Publications

Land acknowledgement

We begin by acknowledging that we are on traditional lands, referred to as Treaty 6, Treaty 7 and Treaty 8 territory, and all the people here are beneficiaries of these peace and friendship treaties.

This territory is the home for many Indigenous Peoples, including the Blackfoot, Cree, Dene, Saulteaux, Ojibwe, Stoney Nakota Sioux, and Tsuut’ina peoples, and the Métis Nation of Alberta and the Métis Settlements.

We respect the Treaties that were made on these territories, we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past, and we dedicate ourselves to moving forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.