Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

Hi there,

I was just wondering how you order repeat prescriptions in Canada.
I'm moving there in January and I currently take medication for epilepsy.
I only take it as a precautionary measure as I have very mild epilepsy.
I have only had 1 seizure in the last 6 years. I have been passed fit by my doctor to travel and it has not been an issue with BUNAC.

Is it free like the UK? (I currently hold a medical exemption card) or do I have to pay per prescription? If so, what's the process and how much is it?

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

It is up to the prescribing doctor to decide how many repeat prescriptions you can have without seeing them again. They mark this on the prescription form. The pharmacy usually enter this in their computer system so you can order the repeats by phone.

Drugs are not free in Canada. You pay every time. How much depends on the cost of the drug. Stores like Costco and Walmart have the lowest prescription service charge but if it is an expensive drug the $2-$3 difference may not seem that significant.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

You would have to pay and claim it back off your medical insurer if you have coverage for pre-existing conditions.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

My doctor gives me a prescription for a year's supply but the pharmacy will only give me three months at a time. They hold the prescription on file and I go in every three months for more. I have Blue Cross health cover through my husband's employment which covers the bulk of the cost so only pay $3 each visit to the pharmacy.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

Blue Cross is the reason why you only get three months at a time. They wont pay for any more than that.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

FWIW My son also has a mild form of Epilepsy and when we lived in Toronto he was taking tegretol we had to pay the full cost for his medication as we had no addition coverage through work (no free prescriptions even for kids) it was roughly £70 for 3 months supply.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

The point with this thread though is on Bunac they don't qualify for provincial coverage or I guess extended through any job. Bunac WP holder have to carry travel insurance and reclaim expenses or get the insurer billed directly.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

These things might vary. In NB, whether paying in full or under a plan, we've never been allowed more than three month's worth of any drug.

Some drugs have been restricted by our doc to monthly and others every two months. Those that he has not restricted, three months has been the maximum the pharmacy can issue.

Some drugs appear to be limited to a month even if the doc has recorded no restriction.

Some years ago (still?) I understand the Quebec scheme would limit the dispensing of all drugs to one month unless going away temporarily.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

OK - so repeat prescriptions (Mr Chookie also has epilepsy - he takes 2 different drugs to control his seizures).

You will need to find a Dr to issue the prescription, and preferably a neurologist - once that is in place, you take your prescription to the pharmacy and hand it in - it will have a certain number of refills on it.

Each time you go to get more of the pills, you will use up one of your refills... once those are all gone, you need to get a new prescription from your Dr/Neurologist. The same pharmacy will hold your prescription on file for you and you can just go and ask for a refill of it...

Prescriptions are not free - at least they are not in Alberta - MrChookie has part of his paid for by his work health insurance and he has to pay part of it as well. If you have no health coverage via work, you either need to find some health insurance company to cover you (blue cross etc) or pay for the entire cost yourself. Depending on what drugs you need, the cost could be minimal or could be exorbitant (one of mr Chookies drugs costs literally cents for each pill, the other costs HUGE amounts!)

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

The OP is on Bunac, so I believe the only insurance would be travel insurance as thery would not be eligible for provincial coverage and then it depends on whether the policy covers pre existing conditions. The OP would also have to pay for any medical services to get medications. If I were them I would strongly suggest they talk to their insurer and get clarification. My understanding from our insurers with excluded conditions is if anything occurs as a result of pre existing conditions this would not be covered. If a seizure occurs and an injury results, that injury may not be covered if pre existing are excluded. You may b fine, but before traveling to Canada, I suggest checking it out with your insurance company so you don't potentially get landed with a huge bill way beyond the cost of the pills. There are some insurers that cover pre existing.

Do you know if the medication you are taking is available in Canada?

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

Hmm one idea... if the OP is Bunac and presumably only here for 1 year - would their regular GP in the UK be prepared to write a prescription for a years supply of their drugs so they can take them over with them (don't know if the GP could even do that? or if they would have a prob taking that amount into Canada - heck don't know what they need to take... IF what they need is cheap enough, they could pay for a prescription and pay for the drugs - as I said, one of Mr Chookies literally costs cents if he goes for the generic one...)

As for if they had a siezure and it being a pre-existing condition and covered by any insurance - the OP did state that seizures were really rare - from what I can read into that, the condition is well controlled - 1 siezure in the last 6 years probably means they even have a driving license (as it is 2 years siezure free normally), so if they continue taking their drugs it is really unlikely that they would have any problems...

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

I have no idea, which is why checking with the insurer would be sensible in my view. Often with pre exisitng, at least with ours I believe if a condition has been stable for 90 days or more they are OK with it. However we still have to tell them of any conditions. Never can be too careful.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

One is only allowed to bring a maximum of 3 months worth of drugs into Canada

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

I used to work for a GP in the Uk and the most they would prescribe for would be 3 months on the very rare and I mean rare occasion they did 6 months but not more than than

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

My wife will be trying to get 6 months+ worth of the pill for when we move over next month.
She is going to her doctor and explaining we are travelling for a year.

I'll report back.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

I just found this, which may be of use.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/compl...iu-uif-eng.php

5.2.3 Visitors to Canada
Visitors to Canada may bring into Canada, on their person:

A single course of treatment or a 90-day supply based on the directions for use, whichever is less, of a health product.

The health product must be for the individual’s own personal use, for the use of a person for whom they are responsible and with whom they are travelling, or for use on an animal for which they are responsible and with whom they are travelling.

The health product must be shipped/carried in one of the following:

Hospital or pharmacy dispensed packaging;
Original retail packaging; or
have the original label affixed to it which clearly indicates what the health product is and what it contains.

Should a Visitor’s stay in Canada exceeds the supply of medication imported at the time of their arrival to Canada, the Visitor may import an additional single unit, single course of treatment or a 90-day supply based on the directions for use, whichever is less, of a health product. When a health product is mailed to a Visitor, the health product should be accompanied by some form of documentation indicating that the health product is destined to a Visitor and/or the Visitor should be prepared to provide documentation/written evidence (stamped passport, student/work visa, letter from an employer/university etc) that they are a Visitor to Canada when requested.

Visitors are advised that the exporting country may also have additional restrictions on what may be exported to Canada. Visitors are advised to check with their local authorities before leaving and to plan accordingly.

Visitors are responsible for ensuring that any remaining health products they imported into Canada but have not consumed during their stay are either safely disposed of or exported from Canada by them when they leave the country.

You would need to ensure that the drug(s) you take are not on this list, as there are restrictions.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hc-ps/substan...ageurs-eng.php

Full details can be found here: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/compl..._tc-tm-eng.php

schedule F can be found here: http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/C.R.C....ramesView.html

You could arrange for your drugs to be collected on your behalf from your local (UK) pharmacy and mailed to you, provided you submit proof of temporary residency - I would suggest a photocopy of the prescription be kept with it too. If you bring 90 days supply with you and get another one mailed, it will cover you for 6 months in total.... and you could always try a 3rd!

:)

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

I have to take heart medication of which are made up of 6 different drugs. I am getting three months to take with me and hoping the job I secure comes with a decent medical plan.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

Most extended healthcare plans have a 3 month qualifying period after hiring.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

It depends on the province, different provinces have different lists of approved drugs and also the way the prescription drug plan works varies.

In Alberta how it works is you to your GP, get the prescription and he will allow x refills or refills up to a certain date (usually one or two years ahead for chronic conditions).

Then you go to the drug store and pay for the prescription. If you have a prescription drug plan, either through a group plan offered by your employer or a non-group plan you pay for yourself, then you get discounts. In Alberta the non-group plan currently costs $762 a year. Per prescription you're covered for any cost over $25 for anything that is on the approved list, and this is the catch because a lot of fairly common stuff is not on the approved list, I suggest you check with AHCIP or OHIP or whomever to find out if it is.

The way my prescriptions work, of the five things I'm prescribed (which are fairly ordinary) only one is covered and because they keep jacking up the cost of the non-group plan I only save a small amount of money.

I don't get too wound up about it because the reality is that taxes are far lower in Alberta than in the UK so I clearly save money, although I have moaned to my MLA about the plan coverage costs going up so rapidly.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

ABC only pays after you buy the drugs so it wouldn't matter to them. I have repeat prescriptions with a two-year expiry on them.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

But ABC will not allow you to receive more than a 3 months supply at any one time. I think that that was what Steve was talking about.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

Does anybody have any tips about where to get cheaper insulin? I have looked online and it seems to be very pricey, and unfortunately I have 2 different sorts:eek:

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

It's a while since I paid in full for it but Humulin was about $25 a vial while NovoRapid is about $35 a vial.

Not as expensive as some of them.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

The cheapest I can find my usual prescription of 10 Lantus pens and 5 Apidra pens is $475. As I take a number of other medications, would I still be able to get insurance with having pre-existing conditions?

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

As a rule, the provincial plan for residents does not do exclusions, most often neither do employer extended. Travel insurance is completely different, does not usually cover prescription drugs taken regularly.

If you are registered for the BC MSP (need to live here to do that) then register for Fair Pharmacare as well. Also get a pharmacy to check if your meds are covered under the govt. plan, not all are. If there is a reason you can only take one that is not covered, your doctor can apply for a 'special authority' to have it covered.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

That's a relief, many thanks for that!

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

I would not be too relieved until you determine if the drug is covered under your plan. Like I said, not all are.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

Are asthma inhalers covered? I use the standard budesonide etc inhalers. I can imagine the cost totting up quite quickly.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

By a private or company plan most likely.

By a provincial health care plan like Alberta Health Care no.

The only time drugs are covered by provincial plans is when you are a hospital inpatient.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

Depends where you are. In BC we have a means tested scheme 'Fair Pharmacare' After you meet the deductible, the govt picks up 70% then after your max is reached 100%. They don't cover everything though and you have to register for it.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

You will still get coverage with such a condition. If you obtain via your employer you won't feel the pain, they will. I changed from Employer benefits to my own (started working for myself) and, on the basis of my insulin, Blue Cross took me out of the regular group coverage and I have to pay an increased premium. As it is tax deductible I am not too concerned.

I cannot ge the complete Lantus pens here like I used to in England. Instead, I obtain the cartridges a la Novorapid.

I take 32 of lantus and approx 45 of Novorapid daily. The Lantus works out at around $180 per month, with Novorapid about $60. Novorapid is covered by Blue Cross, Lantus isn't. Both were with my employer's scheme.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

Each province does have a Prescription Drug Plan of some sort. Income needn't necessarily be low; high drugs costs could do it.

Several of the Province schemes are called Pharmacare but they don't necessarily work the same way. With some you pay a percentage of the drugs cost while elsewhere you pay no more than a percentage of your income. Another province you pay $4 per drug while in the next one you pay the pharmacy processing fee.

I'll just post the link again if I can find it.

Here we go. On the left you can click to check the different schemes in operation.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

They will, I've been doing it for years. It might be a policy they have (I wouldn't be surprised) but my GP used to issue me a one-year renewal and last time he did a two-year renewal. I can't see how they would know, the pharmacy submits the claim, if you have valid coverage, it's accepted. If you don't have, it's not accepted. Simple as that.

The three-month residency thing until you get coverage was scrapped a couple of years ago btw, when the healthcare premiums were scrapped.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

Oooh, this is a touchy subject with me. Lantus isn't covered in Alberta and I'm told it's not covered anywhere else, although I have a hard time believing it. The total BS reason why it's not covered is that Health Canada has never done any studies on whether it works or not, ergo, no provincial plan will cover it. At least not in Alberta. They can optionally look at international studies but they are not required to under the Health Act, so they choose not to and they choose not to cover it. So you have to pay the full retail price, unless your employer has a particularly generous group plan that covers it (good luck with that - there are a few that cover the test strips at least or pay part of the cost).

By far the cheapest place to buy drugs that I've found is Safeway, plus you get Air Mile points, I actually know someone in the US who is suffering from a severe form of cancer and he flies here, goes to Safeway, stocks up with thousands of dollars worth of drugs and then he can use the air mile points he's just collected to fly home!

And if you're wondering why he would do that, this gives you the reason why:

10ml vial of NovoRapid insulin:

Safeway (Canada) - $30
London Drugs (Canada) - $37
Shopper's Drug Mart (Canada) - $38.50
Wal-Mart (US) - $120
CVS Pharmacy (US) - $123

And bear in mind those last two are in US dollars. They actually have coach trips at the weekend from Great Falls to Lethbridge so that seniors can go up there and get their prescriptions filled, I was sat at Coutts once watching all these doddery old people walk into secondary inspection and wondering why until they told me.

NovoRapid is covered by provincial prescription plans at least. Although for example in Alberta I'm not sure there's any point since they jacked up the price to $762 pa for the non-group plan. You get covered for anything over $25, so if you buy several bottles at a time you get a discount but I can't find a pharmacy that will sell me more than three at a time. I worked out yesterday that I'd actually be about $40 behind by using ABC non-group coverage.

FWIW, I find most diabetics here are still living in the dark ages and are using Humilin R and Humilin NPH because (a) they're cheap and (b) they're covered.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

My GP and Specialist both will write prescriptions for 1 year but the pharmacy I deal with will not give out more than three months worth of pills at any one time if you are covered by Alberta Blue Cross. They specifically stated ABC will not allow them to fill more than three months worth at a time.

A few years ago I filled all my prescriptions and then went off on holidays and forgot to take one of them with me. I realised this the first night in Banff so I contacted the nearest pharmacy associated with mine in Calgary and between them they had to contact the specialist and ABC to get special permission to issue me with two weeks worth of pills. It took a couple of days to get through the red tape but it did get done.

If your pharmacy will do more then three months worth then good for you but it's not the norm.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

It's not deductible against personal income taxes, the T1 guide specifically says they are not included. But if you are self-employed you can put it down as an employee benefit.

The one that always gets me is the tax deduction (line 330, schedule 1) if your costs are over a specific amount and I've never qualified for it since I've lived here and my income has been up and down like a yo-yo.

It always seems to me that they have worked out the average cost a diabetic pays followed by the average salary you get and that's where they peg the tax credit.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

But the question is how would they know what a three-month supply is? Different people use different amounts. I guess because I'm diabetic the amounts people use can vary widely so it never comes up as an issue. I can understand why if you walked in and ordered a truckload they would turn you down. But I don't use the same pharmacy either, I shop around so that makes it harder for ABC to keep track I guess.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

I think we are talking apples and oranges here. My GP has given me a repeat prescription that lasts for 3 years. ABC will only allow the pharmacy to dispense a max 3 months at a time.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

We phoned Revenue Canada (or whatever they call themselves this week) a few years back to ask about this and you can claim any premiums "you" pay for additional health insurance, you can also claim any unpaid portion of any drugs or services covered by your additional plan.

You were not allowed to claim Alberta Healthcare premiums when they were around.

Re: Repeat prescriptions in Canada
 

It states on the receipt that is sent to the insurance company the amount of pills and the daily dosage, it's not hard to figure out.