The following are links to the most frequently used provincial drug programs by cancer patients in Atlantic Canada who are not automatically enrolled in another government program. This is not an exhaustive list of all provincial drug plans. Please see each provincial government website for more information. You can also find some information on provincial drug plans in the Drug Access Info section of this website.
Your oncology drug access navigator can help you determine which provincial drug plan is best for your situation, but you may wish to proceed on your own if you are clear on the program you need and wish to get something in place as soon as possible.
Nova Scotia
Seniors Pharmacare | ||
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Who Should Apply | How to Apply | What to Include |
Persons 65 years of age and older who do NOT have a private insurance drug plan AND who have a valid NS Health number | If you are about to turn 65: You will be mailed an application package automatically or use the link If are age 65 or over and never applied because you had an insurance plan at the time: Complete the application and attach a letter from your insurer stating that you no longer have an insurance plan If you are age 65 or over and never applied because you didn’t need it or weren’t aware of the program: Complete the application and send it to NS Pharmacare; you will receive a letter indicating how much you will need to pay to join (your “premium”); this will include a late application penalty fee. (There is also a waiting period applied to all late applications but the DAN can apply to have the waiting period waived.) | The NS Health Card numbers for you AND your spouse or common-law partner should be included on the application This is needed to verify your income for the purpose of setting your annual premium; your premium and any late application fees may be reduced or waived entirely depending on your income This indicates how you want to be billed for the premium, if applicable and copay If receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement please attach a copy of the letter with your application as premium will be waived |
Family Pharmacare | ||
Who Should Apply | How to Apply | What to Include |
Anyone 18 years of age or over and their dependants (each person must have a valid NS Health Card number to be eligible) | Complete the Application and send by mail to NS Pharmacare | The NS Health Card numbers for the applicant and all dependants, as well as the SIN for yourself and your spouse – even if some family members might not use the program NS Pharmacare will determine your coverage based on your most recent Notice of Assessment. If you haven’t filed your income tax return, proof of current income can be attached (e.g. EI benefit statement from Service Canada, three current months of employment pay stubs, written declaration of no income, letter from employer, or letter from accountant) If your total family income has decreased more than 20% in the past few months, compared to last year’s CRA reported income (Line 150), attach (1) a cover letter briefly explaining this change and (2) proof of current income (see above) |
Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients | ||
Who Should Apply | How to Apply | What to Include |
Any resident of Nova Scotia with a valid NS Health Card number who has a cancer diagnosis and has a GROSS family annual income of $25,500 or below A person can be enrolled in the Seniors Pharmacare or Family Pharmacare program in addition to this program | Complete the Application and send by mail to NS Pharmacare | You MUST include proof of income for yourself and your spouse or partner This can include: (1) CRA Notice of Assessment (2) Proof of current income with cover letter if NoA not available or income has reduced significantly in recent months (e.g. EI statement, letter from employer, letter from accountant if self-employed) All proof of income must be as hard copy (on paper) and attached with the application |
New Brunswick
NB Prescription Drug Program – Seniors Plan | ||
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Who Should Apply | How to Apply | What to Include |
Persons 65 years of age and older who do NOT have a private insurance drug plan AND who are receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or have a low income AND who have a valid NB Health Card number | If you receive the GIS Complete Application and send in to NBPDP If you do not receive the GIS BUT You are a single person (65 years of age or older) with an annual income of $17,198 or less
Contact the NBPDP Directly by phone or email to apply: | If you are applying as a person who receives the GIS you will need to include a letter from Service Canada confirming that you receive the GIS |
Medavie Blue Cross Seniors’ Prescription Drug Program(Link to Application – application is at the end of the document) | ||
Who Should Apply | How to Apply | What to Include |
Persons 65 years of age and older who do NOT have a private insurance drug plan AND who have a valid NB Health number | Complete the Application and send by mail to Medavie Blue Cross | |
NB Drug Plan | ||
Who Should Apply | How to Apply | What to Include |
Anyone 18 years of age or over and their dependents (each person must have a valid NB Health Card number to be eligible) | Complete the Application and send by mail to NB Drug Plan | The NB Health Card numbers for the applicant and all dependents, as well as the SIN for yourself and your spouse – even if some family members might not use the program If you already have a private insurance plan and wish to use the NB Drug Plan as an additional form of coverage for a certain drug, or if your insurance plan coverage has run out Complete and include Existing Drug Coverage Form |
NB Organ Transplant Program | ||
Who Should Apply | How to Apply | What to Include |
Any resident of NB with a valid NB Health card who has received or is on the list awaiting a solid organ transplant or bone marrow transplant AND Who does not have a private insurance drug plan or coverage of the required drug(s) for transplant on their insurance drug plan | Complete application form and send in to NBPDP | $50 application fee If you have an existing insurance drug plan Attach a letter from the drug plan indicating that either (1) your plan maximum has been reached, or (2) the drug(s) required is not listed on your plan |
Prince Edward Island
Catastrophic Drug Program | ||
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Who Should Apply | How to Apply | What to Include |
Anyone 18 years of age or over and their dependants with a valid PEI Health Card AND who have annual drug costs that exceed their affordability This program only offers cost assistance on drugs listed on this program You may apply to the program if you are on another PE provincial government drug plan (e.g. Seniors, Family Health) or if you have an insurance drug plan | Complete the Application and send by mail, fax or email to PEI Pharmacare | The PEI Health Card numbers for the applicant and all dependants, as well as the SIN for yourself and your spouse – even if some family members might not use the program |
Generic Drug Program | ||
Who Should Apply | How to Apply | What to Include |
Any resident of PEI with a valid PEI Health Card who has no private drug insurance plan | Complete application on-line | |
High Cost Drug Program | ||
Who Should Apply | How to Apply | What to Include |
Any resident of PEI with a valid PEI Health Card who has been prescribed a high cost drug listed on this program AND Lacks private insurance coverage for the drug(s) | Complete the Application and send by mail, fax or email to PEI Pharmacare | The PEI Health Card numbers for the applicant and all dependants, as well as the SIN for yourself and your spouse – even if some family members might not use the program |
Newfoundland and Labrador
Access Plan | ||
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Who Should Apply | How to Apply | What to Include |
Anyone 18 years of age or over and their dependants with a valid NL Health Card (MCP) Who is: A single individual with an annual net income of $27,151 or less OR A couple with an annual total net income of $30,009 or less OR A single or multiple parent family with an annual total net income of $42,870 or less | Complete the Application and send by mail to NLPDP | The MCP (Health Card) numbers for the applicant and all dependents, as well as the SIN for yourself and your spouse – even if some family members might not use the program |
Assurance Plan | ||
Who Should Apply | How to Apply | What to Include |
Anyone 18 years of age or over and their dependants with a valid NL Health Card (MCP) AND who have annual drug costs that exceed their affordability. You can have a private insurance drug plan and apply to this program | Complete the Application and send by mail to NLPDP | The MCP (Health Card) numbers for the applicant and all dependants, as well as the SIN for yourself and your spouse – even if some family members might not use the program |