Treatment coverage in your region

Prescription Drug Programs in Newfoundland and Labrador

The Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program (NLPDP) provides financial assistance to people who need help paying for their prescription drugs, so that all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador have access to the medications they need.

The NLPDP offers four plans:

The Foundation Plan

• Covers 100% of the cost of eligible prescription drugs, including medications for hepatitis C, for people who receive Income Support Benefits (ISB) and certain individuals receiving services through the Regional Health Authorities.

The 65 Plus Plan

• Provides prescription drug coverage to people 65 years of age or older who receive Old Age Security (OAS) benefits and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). The plan does not cover dispensing fees.

The Access Plan

• Provides families and individuals with low incomes access to prescription drug coverage. The amount of coverage is based on net income level and family status. Helps individuals, couples without children, and families with children, including single-parent families, with limited incomes.

The Assurance Plan

• For individuals and families whose income is affected by the burden of high drug costs. People pay a percentage (5%, 7.5% or 10%) of their net annual income. 

 Coverage for Hepatitis C Medications

Coverage for hepatitis C medications varies depending on the drug plan and income level of applicants. The Access Plan and Assurance Plan  may be of particular interest to people with hepatitis C, as they are intended to help pay for the high cost of eligible drugs. People who receive Income Support Benefits can apply to have their medications covered through the Foundation Plan.

Peg-interferon and ribavirin are included in the Newfoundland and Labrador provincial drug formulary as drugs that are eligible for coverage. These medications require Special Authorization before they can be covered under the different drug plans listed above. 

To apply for special authorization, people can ask their specialist to complete the Special Authorization Request Form  and submit it to the Department of Health and Community Services. The request will be reviewed against the criteria for coverage  to determine if the medications will be covered. To receive coverage for hepatitis C medications, a patient must not have been previously treated for their chronic hepatitis C. Once the application has been reviewed, both the specialist and the applicant will receive a letter about whether or not the medications will be covered.

If the request is approved, people will have their medications covered for up to one full course of treatment, usually 24 to 48 weeks, depending on their hepatitis C genotype.

If people would like more information about the different drug plans in Newfoundland and Labrador, they can contact the Department of Health and Community Services by calling (709) 753-3615.

Registered First Nations and recognized Inuit people may be able to access coverage for their hepatitis C medications through the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program.  People can contact NIHB by phone or mail at:

Non-Insured Health Benefits – Atlantic Region
First Nations and Inuit Health
Health Canada
Suite 1525, 15th Floor, Maritime Centre
1505 Barrington Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3J 3Y6
                                                                                                                Tel: (902) 426-2656
Toll-free: 1-800-565-3294