The original brand medication is the one first invented and developed by Pfizer. Other companies then sometimes develop medications that are pharmaceutically equivalent to the original brand medication. These are known as generics. According to Health Canada, the generic medication should contain chemically identical, but not necessarily physically identical, medicinal ingredients and may vary in non-medicinal ingredients, preservatives, flavour, shape, colour, packaging or labelling.

Everyone’s insurance coverage varies. Some people have private insurance through their employers while other people are covered by provincial drug insurance plans.

Some insurance plans continue to cover the cost of the original brand medication. In such cases, plan members need to cover any co-payment and/or deductible according to their plan design. Other insurance plans will allow you to receive your original brand medication but will only reimburse up to the price of the generic version. You will then need to pay the difference between the price of the original brand medication and the generic in addition to any co-payment and/or deductible. These plans may still cover the original brand medication if specific reimbursement criteria are met (for example, if you’re allergic to an ingredient in the generic version).

It is important to take the time to learn about your plan and what medications are covered. While at the pharmacy, you will find out if the original brand medication is covered once the claim is submitted to your drug plan.

If your out-of-pocket cost is preventing you from getting your Pfizer original brand medication, the Pfizer Originals payment assistance card can help. The payment assistance card allows you to remain on the original brand medication you know and trust at little to no additional cost versus the generic. Most pharmacies will accept the card; however, some may not.

The Pfizer Originals payment assistance card works just like the card for your insurance plan. When at the pharmacy, give the card to your pharmacist and they will enter it into their system. You will immediately be covered for most, if not all, of the difference between the original brand and the generic.

The Pfizer Originals payment assistance card allows you to remain on the original brand medication at little or no additional cost versus the generic. Payment assistance varies by brand and depends on the drug plan coverage you might have (private or public insurance). Private plans can vary significantly in how much of the prescription cost of the original brand medication they cover.

See the participating brands in your province here.