**BC Residents Alert** Smoking Cessation Program!

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The BC government’s Smoking Cessation Program helps people stop smoking or using other tobacco products by assisting them with the cost of smoking cessation aids.  The program is open to B.C. residents who wish to stop smoking or using other tobacco products.

What does it cover?

Each calendar year, eligible BC residents will be able to get a single continuous course of treatment (lasting 12 weeks or 84 days in a row) in the form of:

– Prescription smoking cessation drugs (covered as benefits under PharmaCare) : bupropion (brand name Zyban®) or varenicline (brand name Champix®)

– Non-prescription nicotine replacement therapy products (NRTs) (provided at no cost): Thrive™ nicotine chewing gum (in 2 strengths) or Habitrol®nicotine patches (in 3 strengths)

How do I get started?

For prescription drugs such as Zyban or Champix, you will need to receive a prescription from your doctor.

In order to register for the gum/patches, you will need to call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1.  Once registered, you can pick up these products at your pharmacy or have them delivered to your home.

Will I have to pay for prescription smoking cessation drugs?

You will not have to pay anything for a course of smoking cessation prescription drugs if you are covered under one of the following PharmaCare plans:

  • Permanent Residents of Licensed Residential Care Facilities (Plan B)
  • Recipients of B.C. Income Assistance plan (Plan C)
  • No-Charge Psychiatric Medication plan (Plan G)

You may have to pay for your smoking cessation prescription drugs if you are registered in the Fair PharmaCare plan.  Here’s how it works. If at the time you fill your prescription,

  • you have not met your family’s annual deductible, you will have to pay all of the cost. The drug’s eligible cost will be credited to your Fair PharmaCare deductible.
  • you have met your family’s annual deductible but you have not met your family maximum, Fair PharmaCare will cover 70% of the eligible cost. You will have to pay the remaining 30%.**Note: If you were born before 1940, Fair PharmaCare will cover 75% of the eligible cost.
  • you have met your annual deductible and family maximum, Fair PharmaCare will cover 100% of the eligible cost.

For more information, please visit the FAQ section here.

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