Nicotine dependence 

• Refer clients to the BC PharmaCare Smoking Cessation Program:

  • 100% coverage for any B.C. resident of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products (patches, lozenges, gum)

  • Full or partial coverage of eligible prescription smoking cessation medications (bupropion (Zyban^®), varenicline (generics) under several plans

• Refer patients to QuitNow.ca:

  • Information and coaching for any B.C. resident wanting to quit smoking or vaping

Pharmacists can help clients quit using tobacco:

• Register clients for the BC PharmaCare Smoking Cessation Program

  • ​HLTH 5464 - BC Smoking Cessation Program Declaration and Notification form (PDF, 1,071KB)  

• Assess for nicotine use disorder as a Minor Ailment and Contraception Service (MACS) and prescribe as appropriate:

  •  Minor Ailment and Contraception Service (MACS)

Full details in PharmaCare Policy Manual, Section 8.6: Smoking Cessation Program

Training for pharmacists

Pharmacists are encouraged to: 

• Take the free, accredited (2 CEUs) course MACS: Tobacco Use Disorder through UBC-CPPD 

• Smoking Cessation Program – web page for health professionals
• PharmaCare Policy Manual, Section 8.6: Smoking Cessation Program
• Eligible smoking cessation medications
• Eligible non-prescription NRT products 
• HLTH 5464 - BC Smoking Cessation Program Declaration and Notification form (PDF, 1,071KB)  
• HLTH 5840 - MACS form (PDF, 705KB) 
• Tobacco Use Disorder – BC Guidelines

Nicotine dependence resources for clients

• BC PharmaCare's Smoking Cessation Program
• Patient information sheets (available in 15 languages) 
• QuitNow.ca

Other resources

• Respecting Tobacco; Traditional and Non-Traditional Tobacco Use – FNHA
• Addiction Care and Treatment Online Course — UBC – for clinicians and the public