Special Authorization

Some drugs require special authorization or a review to be eligible for coverage. If your pharmacist has told you that your prescription requires special authorization, you will likely either:

1. be asked to go back to the doctor or other licensed health care provider who wrote you the prescription to have them complete a special authorization form (they will select the appropriate request form), or
2. be assisted by your pharmacist in contacting the doctor or other licensed health care provider who wrote you the prescription to have them complete a request form.

You and the doctor who submitted the request will be notified once a decision is reached on whether or not the prescribed drug will be covered. Special authorization decisions will be available under the Documents tab in your My ASEBP account. My ASEBP users will receive an email when a new decision letter has been posted.

Please consult with your pharmacist and health care provider regarding requirements for ongoing renewals. Keep in mind that over-the-counter products and specific brands of interchangeable drugs are not eligible for special authorization.

Some higher cost medications will be limited to 30 days’ supply to reduce the potential for drug wastage due to loss, damage, or a change of therapy. If you are travelling outside of your province of residence and need more than a 30-day supply of your prescription, you’ll need to complete the Travel Supply of Prescription Drugs Request prior to visiting your pharmacy.

You can visit the Drug Inquiry Tool* on My ASEBP to see if a drug you’ve been prescribed requires special authorization.

* If you are age 65 or older and live in Alberta, please read ASEBP’s response to the Government of Alberta’s Health Statutes Amendment Act to learn how to navigate the Interactive Drug Data Base (iDBL) to search your prescription drugs.