What is the Trillium Drug Program?

The Trillium Drug Program (TDP) is an Ontario government program that helps residents who spend a large portion of their income on prescription drugs. Once enrolled, your annual out-of-pocket drug costs are capped at approximately 4% of your household's after-tax income. After you hit that threshold in any quarter, you pay only $2 per prescription for the rest of that quarter.

Who is eligible for the Trillium Drug Program?

Any Ontario resident with a valid OHIP card can apply, regardless of income. You are eligible if you do not have private insurance that covers 100% of your drug costs, and you are not already covered by the Ontario Drug Benefit program (which covers seniors 65+, people on Ontario Works or ODSP, and residents of long-term care homes). People under 25 should check OHIP+ first, as it may cover their drugs at no cost.

How much does the Trillium Drug Program cost?

There is no cost to apply or enrol. Your annual deductible is set at approximately 4% of your household's net income and is split into four quarterly payments. Once you meet your quarterly deductible, you pay only $2 per eligible prescription for the rest of that quarter. For example, if your household income is $40,000, your annual deductible is about $1,600 ($400 per quarter).

How do I apply for the Trillium Drug Program?

Download the application form from ontario.ca or pick one up at any pharmacy. Complete the form with information about every member of your household, choose an enrolment start date, and submit it by fax, email, or mail. You can also apply online. Applications are accepted year-round, but submitting by September 30 gives you coverage for the full program year starting August 1.

What drugs does the Trillium Drug Program cover?

The Trillium Drug Program covers the same drugs listed in the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary, which includes over 5,900 medications. Not every drug is covered. Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether your specific medication is on the formulary before applying. If it is not listed, your doctor can request an Exceptional Access Program (EAP) approval for certain medications.

Ontario Trillium Drug Program

If your household spends a large portion of its income on prescription drugs, the Trillium Drug Program caps your out-of-pocket costs at about 4% of your income. After that, you pay $2 per prescription. Free to apply, no income limit.

💰

To Apply

Free

📊

Deductible

~4% of income

💊

After Deductible

$2 per Rx

📋

Drugs Covered

5,900+

📋 Read on Ontario.ca 📝 Get the Application Form

Which Drug Program Is Right for You?

Ontario has several prescription drug programs. Tell us your situation and we will point you to the right one.

How It Works

The Trillium Drug Program is not free prescriptions. It is a safety net that makes sure your drug costs never eat up more than about 4% of your household income.

1You enrol and receive a confirmation letter telling you your annual deductible (about 4% of your household's after-tax income) and the quarterly amounts.

2Each quarter, you pay for your prescriptions normally until you have spent the quarterly deductible amount out of pocket.

3Once you hit the quarterly deductible, Trillium kicks in and you pay only $2 per eligible prescription for the rest of that quarter.

4If you do not spend enough in one quarter, the unused portion carries over to the next quarter. By the end of the year, your total out-of-pocket costs should not exceed the annual deductible.

Example:

Household income: $50,000/year
Annual deductible: ~$2,000 (4% of $50,000)
Quarterly deductible: ~$500

In Q1, you buy $600 in prescriptions. You pay $500 out of pocket (your deductible), and then pay only $2 per prescription for the remaining $100 worth of drugs. In Q2, if you only buy $300 in prescriptions, you pay all $300, and the unused $200 carries to Q3.

The quarterly periods run August 1 to October 31, November 1 to January 31, February 1 to April 30, and May 1 to July 31.

Who Qualifies

You qualify if all of these are true:

You live in Ontario and have a valid Ontario health card

You spend approximately 4% or more of your household's after-tax income on prescription drugs

You do not have private insurance that covers 100% of your prescription costs

You are not already covered by the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program

You are NOT eligible if:

You are 65 or older (you are automatically enrolled in ODB instead)

You receive Ontario Works or ODSP (drug coverage is included in your social assistance)

You live in a long-term care home or Home for Special Care (covered by ODB)

You are 24 or under with no private insurance (check OHIP+ first, which may cover your drugs for free)

There is no income limit to apply. Anyone can apply regardless of income. However, people with higher incomes pay a higher deductible (since it is based on 4% of income), so the program is most helpful for people whose drug costs are high relative to their income.

If You Have Partial Private Insurance

If your private insurance covers some but not all of your drug costs, you can still enrol in the Trillium Drug Program. Trillium works alongside your private plan by covering the portion your insurance does not pay, after your Trillium deductible is met.

When you apply, you must report your private insurance details. The program will calculate your deductible based on your out-of-pocket costs (the part your insurance does not cover), not the total cost of the drugs.

You should use your private insurance first for every prescription. Then submit receipts for the remaining cost to Trillium. Your pharmacist can coordinate this at the counter if you provide both your health card and your private insurance information.

How to Apply

1Get the application form. Download it from ontario.ca, pick one up at any pharmacy, or request one from a social worker.

2Complete the form for your entire household. Every household member must sign and consent to the program obtaining their tax records from the CRA. This is how Trillium calculates your income and deductible.

3Choose an enrolment start date. This date determines when your coverage begins. Pick a date before or on the same day as the first prescription you want covered. If you are unsure, leave it blank and call Trillium later to set it.

4Submit the form. By fax to 416-642-3034, by email to trillium@ontariodrugbenefit.ca, or by mail to the address on the form. Keep your originals.

5Wait for your confirmation letter. It arrives by mail and lists your annual deductible, your quarterly amounts, and all household members included.

6Tell your pharmacist and doctor. Let them know you are enrolled so they prescribe drugs from the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary whenever possible.

Apply by September 30 to get coverage for the full program year (starting August 1). If you apply after September 30, coverage starts from your chosen enrolment date and your deductible is adjusted proportionally.

What Drugs Are Covered

Trillium covers drugs listed in the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary. This is a list of over 5,900 medications approved by the province. It includes most common prescriptions: antibiotics, blood pressure medications, diabetes medications, mental health medications, pain management, asthma inhalers, HIV medications, and many others.

Not every medication is on the list. Brand-name drugs are sometimes excluded if a generic equivalent exists. Newer drugs may not yet be listed. Before enrolling, confirm with your pharmacist or doctor that the specific medication you need is on the formulary.

If your medication is not on the formulary, your doctor can apply to the Exceptional Access Program (EAP) for special approval. This involves submitting a clinical justification to the Ministry of Health explaining why no formulary-listed alternative works for your condition.

Search the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary →

Ontario's Other Drug Programs

Trillium is one of several Ontario drug programs. Here is how they compare.

💊 OHIP+ (Under 25)

Free no deductible

Covers 5,900+ drugs for anyone 24 or under who does not have private insurance. No application needed. Just show your health card at the pharmacy.

👴 Ontario Drug Benefit (65+)

$2-$6.11 per prescription

Automatic at age 65. Small co-pay per prescription. Covers the same formulary drugs. You receive a letter before your 65th birthday.

🌿 Trillium Drug Program

~4% of income deductible

For anyone 25-64 without full private coverage. Caps drug costs at 4% of household income. $2 per Rx after the deductible. Covers the same formulary.

🤝 Ontario Works / ODSP

Free no deductible

Prescription drug coverage is included in social assistance benefits. No separate application needed.

Renewal and Changes

Renewal: Your enrolment renews automatically every year as long as you file your income taxes on time. You will receive a new confirmation letter each year showing your updated deductible (based on your most recent tax filing). If you do not file taxes, your enrolment may be paused until your taxes are up to date.

Income changes: If your income drops by more than 10% (job loss, reduced hours, etc.), you can request a deductible reassessment. This lowers your quarterly payments based on your current income rather than your last tax filing. Apply through the reassessment form on ontario.ca or call 1-800-575-5386.

Insurance changes: If you gain or lose private insurance during the year, notify the Trillium Drug Program so they can recalculate your coverage.

Turning 65: When you turn 65, you are automatically moved to the Ontario Drug Benefit program. A spouse under 65 can remain on Trillium.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply if I have some private insurance but it does not cover everything? +

Yes. Trillium works alongside partial private insurance. Use your private plan first, then Trillium covers the remaining out-of-pocket costs after your deductible is met. Report your insurance details on the application so the program calculates your deductible correctly.

Does my whole family get covered if I apply? +

Yes. When you enrol, every member of your household is covered under the same plan. Everyone in the household must sign the application, and the deductible is based on total household income. Even household members who do not currently take medications are included.

I lost my job. Can I get a lower deductible? +

Yes. If your income has dropped by more than 10%, you can request a deductible reassessment using the online form at ontario.ca or by calling 1-800-575-5386. The reassessment uses your current income situation instead of your last tax return.

Does Trillium cover prescriptions filled outside Ontario? +

No. The Trillium Drug Program only covers prescriptions filled at Ontario pharmacies. If you travel out of province or out of country, any prescriptions filled elsewhere are paid entirely out of pocket.

My drug is not on the formulary. Can I still get help? +

Your doctor can apply to the Exceptional Access Program (EAP) for drugs not on the formulary. If approved, the drug becomes eligible for Trillium coverage for you specifically. The EAP process can take several weeks, so start early.

I am under 25. Should I apply for Trillium or OHIP+? +

Check OHIP+ first. If you are 24 or under and do not have private insurance, OHIP+ covers your prescriptions at no cost with no deductible. If OHIP+ does not cover your specific medication, or if you have private insurance that only partially covers your drugs, then Trillium may help with the rest.

Need Help?

Contact the Trillium Drug Program directly.

1-800-575-5386