How to get lenalidomide in Quebec
Three registrations, a RAMQ authorization and a pharmacy enrolled in the program: the path, step by step.
Why this medication is not dispensed like the others
Lenalidomide belongs to a family of medications that can cause serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy. For that reason Health Canada controls its distribution through a program called RevAid. In practice that means you cannot simply drop the prescription off at the pharmacy around the corner: the pharmacy itself must be registered with the program. This is the single most common source of confusion for patients starting treatment.
The three required registrations
The prescribing physician must be registered. This is usually already in place at oncology and hematology clinics.
You must be registered as a patient. Your care team handles this and explains the conditions around contraception and pregnancy testing where they apply.
The dispensing pharmacy must be registered. Not all are — this is the thing to check before choosing where to fill your prescription.
The RAMQ authorization, in plain terms
Lenalidomide is an exceptional medication under Quebec's public drug plan, which means reimbursement is not automatic: your physician submits a payment authorization request to RAMQ showing that your situation matches the recognized indications. If your situation falls outside them, a separate route exists, called the exceptional patient measure. These requests travel between the clinic and RAMQ; the pharmacy can track them and tell you the outcome. If you are privately insured, the equivalent request goes to your insurer.
Finding a registered pharmacy
The RevAid program runs a patient information line at 1-888-738-2431, and your clinic usually knows which pharmacies in your area are registered. In Laval, our pharmacy is enrolled in the program. Changing pharmacies for this one medication does not require moving your entire record, and the transfer is handled with a phone call.
What to plan for at every refill
A short mandatory questionnaire before each dispensing — often possible over the phone.
A valid prescription: dispensing has to happen within a limited window after the prescription date.
A case-by-case order: this medication is not kept in stock, so allow about a week.
Renewal of the payment authorization, which has an expiry date worth watching.
Frequently asked questions
Starting treatment with lenalidomide?
Our pharmacy is registered with the RevAid program. Call us and a pharmacist will walk you through the steps that apply to you.
(450) 689-8181Content reviewed by a pharmacist at the pharmacy · Updated July 2026
This page is for information only and does not replace advice from your physician or pharmacist. It is not intended to promote any particular medication. Always speak to your care team before changing a treatment.