What Is the Health Canada Special Access Program?

The Health Canada Special Access Program (SAP) helps doctors and their patients get access to certain drugs that are not yet approved for sale in Canada. These drugs can be used to treat serious or life-threatening conditions when other treatments have not worked, are not suitable, or are unavailable.

Through the SAP, a drug manufacturer is allowed to sell these drugs when prescribed by a medical doctor for eligible patients.

THE PROCESS

After completing the CMAT Medical and Psychological Intake process, if your CMAT practitioner determines that Medicine Assisted Therapy may be appropriate for your condition, they can submit an application to Health Canada through the Special Access Program (SAP). The SAP review process typically takes between three weeks and several months. If your application is approved, we will order the medication from a Health Canada-approved manufacturer and schedule your treatment.

THE COST

We charge a flat fee of $800 to prepare and submit your application, which includes all necessary documentation and any follow-up communication with Health Canada on your behalf. While we cannot guarantee approval, we will advocate for you to the best of our ability. If your request is not approved, your care team will support you in exploring other treatment options.

Conditions we treat

With approval through the SAP:

  • For individuals with serious post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that has caused life-threatening or severe complications despite adequate trials of available treatments.

  • For individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, or existential distress related to a life-threatening diagnosis that has not responded to other treatments.

  • For treatment-resistant depression that causes severe or life-threatening complications.

  • Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) is an approved program in Canada, allowing a doctor to compassionately end a person’s life to prevent ongoing suffering. It is available to individuals with a grievous and irremediable medical condition causing enduring physical or psychological suffering who meet strict Health Canada criteria.

    For those exploring MAID, MDMA- or psilocybin-assisted therapy may provide an opportunity to address existential distress, reduce anxiety and depression, and foster peace, meaning, and connection. These therapies can support individuals in emotionally processing their experience and promoting psychological healing before making an irreversible decision.