Drug coverage for opioid use disorder
Last updated on May 23, 2025
PharmaCare pays the full cost of most opioid agonist treatment (OAT) for B.C. residents.
- No forms to fill out
- Present your prescription at a pharmacy
- The pharmacy will need your Personal Health Number. Your Personal Health Number is on your driver’s licence, BC Services Card, or CareCard
If you are not enrolled in MSP, a pharmacist or prescriber can help you get temporary coverage of OAT.
PharmaCare covers the treatments below.
Regular benefit opioid agonist treatment (OAT)
These treatments are fully covered:
- Several formulations of methadone (Methadose® (cherry) and Metadol-D® (unflavoured))
- Buprenorphine/naloxone 2 mg and 8 mg sublingual tablets*
- generic products are fully covered
- 24-hour slow-release oral morphine (Kadian®)
- Long-acting injectable buprenorphine (brand name Sublocade®)
*Brand-name buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone®) 2 mg and 8 mg sublingual tablets are partially covered. They are covered up to the price of the matching generic product, as per the Low Cost Alternative program.
Treatments that need a Special Authority request from your prescriber
For some treatments, your prescriber needs to submit a special request for coverage. This would be as a last resort if you have not benefited from other forms of oral OAT. This is called exceptional Special Authority coverage and is available for:
- High-dose buprenorphine/naloxone tablets
- Compounded methadone
- Full coverage of a brand name version of a covered generic drug, for example in case of an allergy to the generic version
If PharmaCare approves the request, you will be fully covered for the drug. Special Authority coverage may be for a limited time. Your prescriber will have to submit a new request when it ends.
About opioid agonist treatment
- Opioid agonists are slow-acting medications that prevent withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of overdose by moving people away from the toxic-drug supply. This includes kadian, methadone and suboxone
- Opioid withdrawal can be a life-threatening condition if not managed carefully. Symptoms often include cravings, chills, sweating, nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps and muscle aches
- Opioid agonist medications are different than the regulated form of opioid medication (hydromorphone) used in the prescribed alternatives program for people at high risk of death from street drugs. These people may transition to opioid agonists when they’re ready to begin treatment
Opioid Treatment Access Line
- Calll 1 833 804-8111 toll-free from anywhere in B.C. between 9 am and 4 pm (leave a voicemail after hours) to speak to a trained doctor or nurse practitioner who will:
- conduct an initial addiction-medicine consultation over the phone;
- prescribe an opioid agonist treatment medication, if medically appropriate; and
- connect to regional health teams for further treatment and supports in the community.
- Fill the prescription at a pharmacy:
- It’s free – costs are covered under BC PharmaCare if enrolled in the Medical Services Plan (MSP) and have a personal health number.
- If not enrolled in MSP, a pharmacist can help get coverage immediately.
Learn more
- Opioid Treatment Access Line
- Learn about the Tailgate Toolkit project to support people in the trades
- Find out about treatment options that can work for you, visit HelpStartsHere.gov.bc.ca
- Do you need information or support to live better with chronic pain? Contact PainBC's Pain Support Line
