Ministry of Health ServicesGoverment of British Columbia
PharmaCare
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PLAN DESCRIPTIONS

Fair PharmaCare
Permanent Residents of Licensed Residential Care Facilities (Plan B)
Recipients of British Columbia Benefits (Plan C)
Cystic Fibrosis (Plan D)
Children in the At Home Program (Plan F)
No-Charge Psychiatric Medication Plan (Plan G)
BC Palliative Care Benefits Program
B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS

Fair PharmaCare Plan

BC's Fair PharmaCare plan provides B.C. families with coverage for eligible prescription drugs and designated medical supplies, based on their net income.

All eligible British Columbians are encouraged to register for the plan. Haven't registered yet? Coverage begins immediately if you register by phone or online. There is no charge to register and there are no premiums to pay. For more information, see our Fair PharmaCare section.

To register on-line immediately, click on Register for Fair PharmaCare.To register by telephone, Contact PharmaCare

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Permanent Residents of Licensed Residential Care Facilities (Plan B)

PharmaCare covers the full cost of eligible prescription drugs and designated medical supplies for permanent residents of licensed residential care facilities in B.C.

Each residential facility is served by a contracted pharmacy. PharmaCare pays each pharmacy  on a per diem basis to provide pharmaceutical services to the facility.

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Recipients of B.C. Income Assistance (Plan C)

This plan provides 100% coverage of eligible prescription costs for B.C. residents receiving medical benefits and income assistance through the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance.

If you would like more information on these benefits, contact your local office of the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance.

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Cystic Fibrosis (Plan D)
Individuals with cystic fibrosis who are registered with a provincial cystic fibrosis clinic receive digestive enzymes free of charge through Plan D. The enzymes are dispensed through your community pharmacy. A list of the digestive enzymes covered under Plan D, and nutritional supplements which may be covered under other PharmaCare plans, is available at Cystic Fibrosis Formulary.

Contact the PharmaCare Help Desk at Health Insurance BC for information on products not listed.
Contact your nearest cystic fibrosis clinic for more information.
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Children in the At Home Program (Plan F)

The At Home program of the Ministry of Children and Family Development provides community-based, family-style care for severely handicapped children who would otherwise become reliant on institutional care.

Children receiving full benefits or medical benefits through the program qualify for full coverage of eligible prescription drugs and designated medical supplies.

Contact the Ministry of Children and Family Development for more information.

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No-Charge Psychiatric Medication Plan (Plan G)

The No-Charge Psychiatric Medication Plan (Plan G) is available to individuals of any age who are registered with a mental health services centre and who demonstrate clinical and financial need. The plan provides coverage of certain psychiatric medications.

Individual patient eligibility is determined by the patient's physician and the local mental health services centre. Registration is required.

The drugs eligible for coverage under the No-Charge Psychiatric Medication Plan are listed in the Plan G Formulary by both brand and generic name. Drugs in the formulary identified as "Limited Coverage" require prior Special Authority approval from PharmaCare. For these medications, a patient's physician must submit a Special Authority Request to PharmaCare.

For more information on the plan, contact your local mental health service centre, listed in the telephone directory's blue pages under "Health Authorities" or, in Vancouver and Richmond, contact the Greater Vancouver Mental Health Service Society. Physicians' offices can download the Application for Psychiatric Medication Coverage (HLTH 3497) (PDF ) or request pre-printed copies from the local mental health services centre.

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BC Palliative Care Benefits Program

The BC Palliative Care Benefits Program supports BC residents of any age who have reached the end stage of a life-threatening disease or illness and who wish to receive palliative care at home.

Under the program, eligible patients receive:

  • coverage of medications used in palliative care through the PharmaCare BC Palliative Care Drug Plan, and
  • medical supplies and equipment through the local health authority.

Benefits under the program continue for as long as the person is diagnosed as requiring palliative care.

Our patient information sheet (PDF 31Kb) provides full details.

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B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS

The B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS operates from St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver, B.C. HIV-positive persons living in British Columbia receive their antiretroviral drugs free of charge when enrolled with the centre.

The centre is fully supported by the B.C. Ministry of Health and B.C. PharmaCare funds the eligible drug costs for the centre.

St. Paul's Hospital is a leading institution providing care to more than 65% of the seropositive people in the province.

The centre provides education to health care providers, conducts natural history and observational studies, develops innovative laboratory tests, and carries out clinical trials. Its drug program is at the core of the centre's activities. For more information, visit the Centre for Excellence Web site.

PDF Format

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Last Revised: June 26, 2008

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