luciferUK

christmasoompa

It won't be free, prescriptions aren't subsidised in Canada like they are in the UK. More info on what is and isn't included in provincial healthcare here - https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Medical_Insurance-Canada

HTH.

Hurlabrick

Wot Christmasoompa said. Worth noting there is no 'Canadian' healthcare, as healthcare is all at the Provincial level. The good news is that NS does not have a waiting period, so you can qualify immediately for NS healthcare, you do of course have to register and get the card first (see the wiki link provided above). But yes, you do pay for the full cost of the drugs. It would be a good idea to get your UK GP to provide what he can in advance (they don't normally give you more than 2 - 3 months worth, but my wife managed to get 6 months of thyroxine before moving over).

luciferUK

Thanks again for quick reply. UK allow only 3 months medicine Do you know how much it may cost (approx) per month?

christmasoompa

If you let people know what you current have in the UK, they can hopefully advise on the Canadian cost for equivalent.

BristolUK

Examples in my bit from past receipts:
Diltiazem 240mg - $71 (3 months)
Diltiazem 180mg - $41 (3 months)
Perindo/Indapa (Coversyl plus) 8/2.5 - $66 (3 months)
Metformin 850mg - $21 (3 months)

Insulin - 3 months worth, obviously depends on dose
Novorapid - $76
Novolin NPH - $162

It's cheaper to buy three months at a time. The pharmacy charges a dispensing fee and it's the same no matter how much you get. As an example it could be $12 - it varies - but buy three months and you save $24.

luciferUK

Hurlabrick

For my mild RBP, for 3 months worth, I pay (in Ontario):

Bisoprolol - $17
Perindopril - $38
Amlodipine - $29

The 'trick' is to make sure your Doctor prescribes you the 'generic' drugs and not 'proprietary' - for some reason, I was previously on Viacoram (mixture of the last 2 drugs) and it was $$$$!

scilly

Just be warned that the Generic does not always work as well as the proprietary, or not as well for you.

I have 3 prescriptions where the Generic does not work as well for me as the proprietary. In BC, pharmacists have to give you the Generic whenever one is available ........ my doctor has therefore had to state on prescriptions that I am to have "(proprietary name) only".

That includes Tylenol 3 ........... which can be replaced by ratio-lenoltec-3. One can tell when a pain reliever is not working!

To answer the OP's question ............... BC is not cheap for drugs, and I am not able to go looking for cheaper, so I am quite aware that I am probably paying one of the highest prices in Canada for my prescriptions.

I take Amlodipine Besylate 5 mg.

My last prescription cost $156.90 for 3 months supply, including $10 dispensing fee.

It is not covered by the province's medical plan for me (income above the maximum), but we have private Extended Health Insurance that kicks in once our annual $1000 deduction has been reached.

It would be worth you looking into Extended Health, and even a private Dental plan if not offered by your employer, especially if you have children,

Also in BC ....... the doctor writes a prescription for 1 year, specifying "3 months + 3 refills", once s/he is convinced it is the right drug for you, and the pharmacist then keeps that on file, giving you a warning when you buy the last refill.. It isn't a question of asking the pharmacist to give you 3 months ..... they won't do it unless it is there OR if they can phone the doctor to get permission. You have to see the doctor to get a new prescription written once you have bought the last refill.

A family member lives in NS, and the method for getting prescriptions seems to be the same .............. has to see the doctor for a new one. I understand the system can be different in the UK?