Each province or territory covers medication differently. The following table details which medications are covered and the qualifications for public coverage. Access to standard care drugs depends on where patients live.You'll see that some are considered "Special Access" or "Restricted Access" which means they usually require you to have tried ( and 'failed' ) other therapies first and require your doctor to send some forms in to the Ministry of Health or to the Health Authority for approval. In this case, your dermatologist may require access to your medical records.

Table: Funding status by province of medications to treat psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
Abbreviations: SA = Special Authorization (aka "limited use" or "exceptional drug status")
NIHB = Non-Insured Health Benefits. Covers registered First Nations and Inuit. Used by NT and NU.

Psoriasis 

Psoriatic Arthritis

Special Authorization Chart per province

Each province and territory has a different hurdle that patients must reach in order to qualify to receive a biological medication. Depending on where an individual lives, he or she may or may not be eligible to receive newer treatments. View the details for each province:

If a treatment has been decided but you have a prerequisite and no contraindications to this prerequisite- and your dermatologist (or rheumatologist) and you prefer to move ahead without having to try the prerequisite medication.  In some provinces a special fund exists that may cover the cost for your preferred medication. Contact your provincial or territorial health department websites as outlined in this table, where you can also obtain more information and up to date status on public coverage. You can also obtain more information and up to date status on public coverageat these government websites (provincial and territories).