BC Smoking Cessation Program

What medications are covered?

The BC Smoking Cessation Program covers two smoking cessation treatment options:

Option 1 - prescription drugs

PharmaCare will cover one of two types of drugs:

• bupropion (brand name Zyban®)
• varenicline (brand name Champix®)

You can get coverage for 12 weeks of prescription drugs (champix® or zyban®) but coverage is based on your income level and Pharmacare Plan. People who are on Pharmacare Plan B, C, or G are totally covered for the full cost of the prescription. Those eligible for Fair Pharmacare might have to pay part or all of the cost of their prescription.

Important Notice: Next time you see your doctor for a pre-existing or underlying medical condition, you may want to discuss whether a prescription smoking cessation drug is the best choice for you.  You do NOT need to register through HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 for the prescription drugs.

Option 2 - Non-prescription nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)

12 weeks FREE nicotine gum OR patches but not both (Thrive™ gum and Habitrol® patches). Call HealthLinkBC at 8-1-1 to order. They will give you a "reference number" which you take to your local pharmacy for pick up or you can have it delivered to your home.

Warning: You may want to talk to your pharmacist or doctor first before deciding whether you should take NRT products. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have any chronic medical conditions, were recently in the hospital, or take any regular medications, please check with your pharmacist or doctor before calling 8-1-1 to register for NRT coverage.

Who is Eligible?

NRT coverage is available to any BC resident who:

• smokes or uses another tobacco product
• is actively enrolled with the Medical Services Plan of B.C. (MSP)

Prescription drug coverage is available to any BC resident who:

• smokes or uses another tobacco product
• is actively enrolled with MSP
• Is covered by an eligible PharmaCare plan (See below)

Will there be a cost?

For NRT Products:

Nicotine patches and gum are 100% covered and there is NO cost.

For Prescription Drugs:

You will not have to pay for prescription drugs if you are registered in one of the following PharmaCare plans:

• Permanent Residents of Licensed Residential Care Facilities plan (Plan B)
• Recipients of B.C. Income Assistance plan (Plan C)
• No-Charge Psychiatric Medication plan (Plan G)

If you are registered for Fair PharmaCare you might have to pay part or even all of the cost of these drugs depending on whether you have met your family`s annual deductible and family maximums. If you aren't sure, call PharmaCare from Vancouver at 604-683-7151 and from the rest of BC, call toll-free at 1-800-663-7100.

You can register for Fair PharmaCare either online or by phoning Health Insurance BC. Registration is free and there are no premiums to pay.

Before you start

• You are encouraged to browse QuitNow resources to plan your quit before calling to get your smoking cessation aids. To increase your chances of success, view our QuitPlan to help you decide on a quit date and prepare for your quit. When you are ready to quit, the BC Smoking Cessation Program will be there for you.
   
• View our Medication Guide to learn more about the various smoking cessation aids offered by the BC Smoking Cessation Program, as well as those NRT products NOT offered by the program.
   
• To learn more about the program and how you can take part, visit the PharmaCare website to find more detailed information on:
  • how the program works
  • what prescription drugs and nicotine gum and patches are covered
  • how much coverage you can get in a year
  • how to get started (including what information you will need to provide)
  • how to get refills