Psychiatric Medications Plan (Plan G)

Last updated: Jue 28, 2023

The Psychiatric Medications Plan (Plan G) is available to B.C. residents of any age who demonstrate clinical and financial need. The plan covers certain psychiatric medications and drugs for the treatment of opioid addiction.

​On this page: General information | Length of coverage | Exceptional coverage | Bridge coverage | Plan G regular and limited coverage benefits

General information

A physician or nurse practitioner (the prescriber) confirms patient eligibility, along with the local mental health and substance use centre, or Child and Youth Mental Health.

  1. Complete the Application for PharmaCare Plan G form (PDF, 896KB) on the patient's behalf
  2. Fax to either:
  • Local mental health and substance use centre
  • Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH) centre, or 
  • Mental health contact at local health authority

For reference:

Length of coverage

  • Regular Plan G coverage: one year at a time—renewable
  • Exceptional coverage (for B.C. residents whose MSP coverage is not active yet): 6 months—not renewable
  • Urgent Plan G bridge coverage: 3 months—can be provided as many times as needed

IMPORTANT: Please monitor the one-year renewal date for regular coverage, and if possible, contact patients to apply for another year of coverage if needed. PharmaCare currently does not have a way to directly let patients know their coverage is coming to an end.

Exceptional Plan G coverage

Plan G exceptional coverage is:

  • For B.C. residents in the wait period for MSP coverage or who are about to apply
  • Available for a single 6-month term
  • Not renewable—MSP enrolment is required for further Plan G coverage

Complete section E of the Plan G application form:

  • Prescriber attests patient has applied for MSP or knows they must apply as soon as possible 
  • Prescriber signs to certify that the patient knows exceptional Plan G coverage is for 6 months, and that they must enrol in MSP and apply for regular (1-year) Plan G coverage for continued coverages

Residents can apply for MSP at www.gov.bc.ca/ahdc

Plan G bridge coverage

Plan G bridge coverage is available in urgent circumstances. It can be applied for by practitioners in:

  • Emergency departments (EDs)
  • Rapid Access Addiction Clinics (RAACs)
  • Urgent primary care centres (UPCCs)
  • Correctional centres (provincial and federal)

For bridge coverage, fill out sections A, B and D of the Plan G Application form and fax directly to HIBC at 250-405-3896. (Plan G forms are normally sent to a mental health and substance use centre for processing before being sent on to HIBC.) The expedited administrative process means Plan G coverage can be activated more quickly.

Plan G bridge coverage is provided for 3 months. To ensure continued coverage, patients should see a practitioner to apply for regular Plan G coverage before the 3-month period is up.

Note: A practitioner may apply for exceptional coverage (i.e., if patient is not enrolled in or is in the wait period for MSP coverage) and bridge coverage for the same patient at the same time with a single form, sent directly to HIBC.

Plan G regular and Special Authority benefits

The table below lists Plan G regular benefits. PharmaCare fully or partially covers these benefits. This list is intended as a general reference only. It may not reflect the most recent changes to the Plan G formulary. Use the PharmaCare Formulary Search to see the most up-to-date list. Click on "Psychiatric Medications" under Select PharmaCare Plan.

Some Plan G drugs are limited coverage and require Special Authority approval. They are on the Special Authority drug list, with "Plan G" indicated next the drug's generic name.

Important: PharmaCare Plan G may not cover all available formulations (e.g., tablet, injection) and strengths (e.g., 5 mg and 10 mg) of the drugs listed below.

If PharmaCare covers a generic version of a drug, PharmaCare generally covers only part of the cost of the brand product. Some generic versions may not be covered under the Low Cost Alternative Program.


Plan G drug formulary - PharmaCare formularies are not a replacement for professional medical judgment and advice

Generic Drug Name Brand Drug Name
alprazolam Xanax®
amantadine Symmetrel®
amitriptyline Elavil®
amitriptyline hydrochloride PMS-Amitriptyline
atenolol Tenormin®
benztropine Bensylate®
bromazepam Lectopam®
bromocriptine Parlodel®
buprenorphine/naloxone Suboxone®
busiprone Buspar®
carbamazepine Tegretol®
chloral hydrate Noctec®
chlordiazepoxide Librium®
chlorpromazine Largactil®
citalopram Celexa®
clomipramine Anafranil®
clonazepam Rivotril®
clonidine Catapres®
clonidine Dixarit®
clorazepate Tranxene®
clozapine Clozaril®
desipramine Norpramin®
dextroamphetamine Dexedrine®
diazepam Valium®
diazepam Vivol®
diphenhydramine injection diphenhydramine injection USP
disulfiram Antabuse®
divalproex Epival®
doxepin Sinequan®
droperidol Inapsine®
escitalopram Cipralex®
fluoxetine FXT 40®
fluoxetine Prozac®
flupenthixol Fluanxol®
flupenthixol decanoate Fluanxol Depot®
fluphenazine Moditen®
fluphenazine decanoate Modecate Concentrate®
fluphenazine decanoate Modecate Injection®
flurazepam Dalmane®
fluvoxamine Luvox®
hydromorphone 8 mg Dilaudid
hydromorphone 8 mg Pms-hydromorphone 
hydromorphone 8 mg Teva-hydromorphone
hydromorphone 8 mg Apo-hydromorphone
imipramine Impril®
imipramine Tofranil®
lamotrigine Lamictal®
levodopa / carbidopa combination tablet Sinemet®
levothyroxine Eltroxin®
levothyroxine Synthroid®
liothyronine Cytomel®
lithium carbonate Carbolith®
lithium carbonate Duralith®
lithium carbonate Lithane®
lorazepam Ativan®
loxapine Loxapac®
maprotiline Ludiomil®
methadone Methadose™, Metadol-D®
methotrimeprazine Nozinan®
methylphenidate Ritalin®
mirtazapine Remeron®
moclobemide Manerix®
morphine (24-hour slow-release) Kadian®
nitrazapam Mogadon®
nortriptyline Aventyl®
oxazepam Serax®
paliperidone Invega®
paroxetine Paxil®
pericyazine Neuleptil®
perphenazine Trilafon®
phenelzine Nardil®
pimozide Orap®
pindolol Visken®
pipotiazine Piportil-L4 Injection®
procyclidine Kemadrin®
propranolol Inderal®
quetiapine Seroquel®
risperidone Risperdal®
sertraline Zoloft®
temazepam Restoril®
tetrabenazine Nitoman®
thiothixene Navane®
tranylcypromine Parnate®
trazodone Desyrel®
triazolam Halcion®
trifluoperazine Stelazine®
trihexyphenidyl Artane®
trimipramine Surmontil®
tryptophan Tryptan®
valproic acid Depakene®
venlafaxine Effexor®
yohimbine Yocan®
zuclopenthixol Clopixol®

Opioid use disorder treatment 

PharmaCare covers Methadose™, buprenorphine/naloxone, and Kadian® 24-hour slow-release oral morphine for opioid use disorder treatment under Plan G. Read more:

 

 

 

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