MedSearch

Find the breast cancer drug information you need

About MedSearch

MedSearch is our navigation tool that helps you find the information you need about breast cancer drugs. It provides details on breast cancer drugs that are approved for sale in Canada. This information includes who the drug is for, which provinces or territories publicly fund it, and where it is in the drug approval process. MedSearch also provides information about additional funding sources for drugs that are not currently listed on public formularies.

How to Use

Use MedSearch to find general clinical and funding information about breast cancer drugs that are approved for sale in Canada. You can search our database using the keyword search or the filters below.

Name of Drug: If you know the name of the drug you are searching for, you can type it here. You can enter either the brand name or the generic name.

Breast Cancer Subtype: Use this filter to select one or more subtypes of breast cancer. The results will show breast cancer drugs that are indicated for the subtype(s) you select.

Breast Cancer Stage: Use this filter to select one or more stage of breast cancer. The results will show breast cancer drugs that are indicated for the stage(s) you select.                           

Select a Region: If you select one or more province or territory, the results will only show a list of breast cancer drugs that are PUBLICY funded in the location(s) you select. Leave this filter blank if you would like to see all treatments that are Health Canada approved but still match the rest of your filters.

Where is This Drug in the Approval Process: Use this filter to select a specific milestone in the drug approval process. The results will show breast cancer drugs that have reached or passed that milestone. Canada’s drug approval process is not always linear. This means some drugs will complete milestones in a different order than others.

Therapy Patient Support Program: Select “yes” to see a list of breast cancer drugs that are part of a patient support program (PSP). A PSP is a program or service that helps patients access, understand, and manage their breast cancer treatment. This program might be offered by the drug manufacturer, a health service provider, or another type of provider. PSPs range in what type of support they provide, and for how long. PSPs may also have specific eligibility criteria to access support. Leave this filter blank to see a list of breast cancer drugs, with and without an associated PSP, and that fit any other filters you use.

Note: If you search by province, you will only be given a list of the drugs that are PUBLICLY funded. To search for all treatment options that are Health Canada approved, leave the “Select A Region” field blank.

Disclaimer

Making Decisions About Treatment: MedSearch should not be used as a treatment decision aid or to substitute medical advice. It is intended to provide general information about which breast cancer treatments are available in Canada, and where they are funded. All information obtained about specific treatments should be further discussed with your physician. Your physician can provide information about treatments that are specific to you.

Capturing Canada’s Drug Approval Process: The process of getting a drug publicly funded in Canada is complex and lengthy. It has many steps, is not linear, and there can be exceptions that are not always fully transparent. Provinces and territories can also approve a treatment on their own timeline. Specific details on how a drug is publicly funded can differ across Canada. For example, a drug can be publicly funded in all provinces and territories but have restrictions on who can access it. It is important to speak to your physician as they can provide you with drug funding information that is specific to you and what you have access to.

How Often MedSearch is Updated: The drug profiles in MedSearch are updated on an ad hoc basis, when new information is available. MedSearch, as a whole, is updated every four years, with 2025 being the most recent update. While we do our best to ensure that all content is current, information about a drug may  change without our knowledge. For the most up-to-date information about a drug, speak to your physician.

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