Treatment coverage in your region

Prescription Drug Programs in Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island's Department of Health and Wellness offers various programs to help Islanders with the cost of their prescription drugs. The Hepatitis Program is specifically for people living with hepatitis C who require medications. This program also provides hepatitis A and B vaccines to people who may be at risk of acquiring these infections.

Coverage for Hepatitis C Medications

The Hepatitis Program covers the cost of hepatitis C medications for eligible applicants. To apply for coverage from the Hepatitis Program, Islanders who have been diagnosed with hepatitis C and have decided to undergo treatment can request that their specialist complete and submit the required application forms to the Department of Health and Wellness. When reviewing the application, the Chief Health Officer will consider the specialist's request and the patient's hepatitis C test results. If the application is approved, medications will be provided free of charge. People will be provided with an educational session from their pharmacist to learn more about their medications and how to take them in order to get the best treatment response possible.

People not part of the Hepatitis Program who receive Social Assistance can apply to have their hepatitis C medications covered through the Financial Assistance Drug Program. This is the program provided to Social Assistance clients who require help with covering the cost of prescription and non-prescription drugs. People can ask their case workers about how they can get help paying for their hepatitis C medications.

For more information about drug programs in PEI or the Hepatitis Program, people can speak with their hepatitis C specialist or call Pharmacy Services at (902) 368-4947 or 1-877-577-3737.

If people qualify for one of the drug programs listed below, they can also receive coverage for medications listed in the provincial drug formulary, including hepatitis C medications. Individuals who are co-infected with HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C who require medications for both illnesses will need to apply to both the AIDS/HIV Program and the Hepatitis Program in order to receive coverage for their medications.

·  AIDS/HIV Program

·  Children in Care Program

·  Community Mental Health Program

·  Cystic Fibrosis Program

·  Diabetes Program

·  Erythropoietin Program

·  Family Health Benefit Program

·  Financial Assistance Program

·  Government Nursing Home Program

·  Growth Hormone Program

·  Hepatitis Program

·  High Cost Cancer Program

·  High Cost Diabetes Program

·  High Cost Multiple Sclerosis Program

·  High Cost Pulmonary Hypertension Program

·  High Cost Rheumatoid Arthritis Program

·  High Cost Psoriatic Arthritis Program

·  Home Oxygen Program

·  Immunization/Vaccine Program

·  Institutional Pharmacy Program

·  Intron A-Interferon Program

·  Meningitis Program

·  Nutrition Program

·  PKU Program

·  Private Nursing Home Program

·  Quit Smoking Program

·  Rabies Program

·  Rheumatic Fever Program

·  Seniors' Drug Cost Assistance Plan

·  Sexually Transmitted Disease Program

·  Transplant Program

·  Tuberculosis Program

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