BC PharmaCare: Get help paying for medications and medical supplies
Last updated on August 28, 2025
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, podiatrist
- Some medical devices and supplies
- Pharmacy services
Pharmacists can assess and prescribe for contraception, also UTIs, acne, allergies, and other minor ailments. The service is fully covered through BC PharmaCare. Learn more at Pharmacy Services in B.C.
Find out more at What PharmaCare covers, or search the drug list (click on the DIN/PIN to learn which plans cover the drug).
Register now for the Fair PharmaCare plan! Coverage is based on income. Not sure if you're registered? Check here.
Measles cases are growing. To protect you and your community, review your immunization records on Health Gateway. Children ages 4 & up and adults needing protection against measles can get the vaccine at no cost at a pharmacy or public health unit.
Several plans
PharmaCare has a number of plans, including Fair PharmaCare, for B.C. residents covered by MSP:
- Everyone is encouraged to register for the income-based Fair PharmaCare plan. Even if you are covered by another plan. The less your family earns, the more help you get. Register now! Not sure if you're registered? Check here.
- 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 a few other medications
- Visit a pharmacist for help, including prescriptions, for minor ailments, vaccinations, and more. Visit Pharmacy Services in B.C.
- If you are receiving provincial income assistance, you should be automatically covered by Plan C, which pays the full cost of many medications
- If you are enrolled with the First Nation Health Authority, you should be covered by Plan W
- If your prescriber enrolled you in Plan G, prescriptions for medications covered by the plan should be fully paid for. Note: Be sure to get your Plan G coverage renewed before it runs out
Read more about PharmaCare's coverage plans
Coverage at the pharmacy counter
PharmaCare coverage is processed at the pharmacy counter when you get your prescription dispensed. If you or your medication is covered by a 100% coverage plan, such as Plan Z, Plan G, Plan C or Plan W, or you have met your Fair PharmaCare family maximum, you should not pay for your prescription or the dispense. If you or your medication is covered only by Fair PharmaCare, you will pay some or all of the prescription cost and dispense until you meet your family maximum.
Get the best coverage
Ask your prescriber to prescribe a medication that is covered.
Ask a pharmacist if they can change your prescription to a medication that is covered or has better coverage.
Search the drug list to see if it is covered (click on the DIN/PIN to learn which plans cover the drug). Learn how to search the drug list at Does PharmaCare cover my medication?
Some drugs on PharmaCare's drug list are covered only with a special request from a prescriber. Learn about Special Authority.
Registered for Fair PharmaCare, but paying more than you expected for your prescriptions?
- Pharmacies charge different amounts for drugs and services. You may want to compare prices and services
- Is your drug covered? Ask your pharmacist or physician if they can prescribe or adapt your prescription to a drug that PharmaCare covers
- If you need help paying your Fair PharmaCare deductible, consider signing up for monthly deductible payments. You may be able to get help with prescription costs right away
- If your family income has dropped by 10% or more in the past two years, you can apply for an income review, which may lower your deductible or family maximum
- On January 1, you may start paying the full amount for your medications, with eligible costs going toward your Fair PharmaCare deductible
Access your prescription records
Get a record of the prescriptions you have filled at B.C. community pharmacies:
- Download a copy by signing in to Health Gateway
- Order a copy through your pharmacy or the Ministry of Health.
Learn more
- What PharmaCare covers
- Search the drug list (click on the DIN/PIN to learn which plans cover the drug)
- Drugs that require a Special Authority request from your prescriber
- Coverage policies such as travel supplies and dispensing fees
- Drug review (how PharmaCare decides which drugs to cover)
Note: PharmaCare cannot help with purchases at pharmacies that are not enrolled in PharmaCare. Purchases at these pharmacies won’t count towards your deductible.
Your Voice
Complete a Your Voice survey to share your experience and thoughts about drugs that PharmaCare is considering covering.
