BC PharmaCare: Get help paying for medications and medical supplies

 

People who live in B.C. can get help from BC PharmaCare to pay for:

• Most drugs prescribed by a physician, pharmacist, dentist, midwife, nurse practitioner, optometrist, or podiatrist
• Some medical devices and supplies
• Pharmacy services — pharmacists in B.C. can assess and prescribe for a number of ailments, give vaccinations, change your prescriptions, and more

Find out more at What PharmaCare covers

PharmaCare coverage plans

PharmaCare has several coverage plans, including the Fair PharmaCare plan. You can be covered under several at once.

• Register now for the Fair PharmaCare plan. The less your family earns, the more help you get. Register once, coverage for life. Check here to find out if you are already registered
• As a B.C. resident, you are automatically covered by PharmaCare's Plan Z, which pays the full cost of many contraceptives, opioid use disorder treatment, and more
• If you receive provincial income assistance, you are covered by Plan C
• If you are enrolled with the First Nation Health Authority, you are covered by Plan W
• If you have trouble paying for mental health prescriptions, ask a health professional if they can register you for Plan G 
• Do you want to quit smoking? Ask a pharmacist to sign you up for the Smoking Cessation Program

Learn about all the PharmaCare plans

Coverage at the pharmacy counter

PharmaCare coverage is processed at the pharmacy counter when you get your prescription dispensed. You do not have to submit receipts.

If you or your medication have 100% coverage, for example under Plan Z, Plan G, Plan C or Plan W, or you have met your Fair PharmaCare family maximum, you will pay nothing for your prescription or dispense.

If you or your medication is covered only by Fair PharmaCare, and you have not yet met your family maximum for the year, you will pay some or all of the prescription cost and dispense.

Get the best coverage

Ask your prescriber to prescribe a medication that is covered.

Ask your prescriber or pharmacist if they can change your prescription to one that is covered or has better coverage.

Some drugs on PharmaCare's drug list are covered only with a special request from a prescriber. Learn about Special Authority

Note: PharmaCare cannot help with purchases at pharmacies that are not enrolled in PharmaCare. Purchases at these pharmacies won’t count towards your deductible.