Health Resources & Fair PharmaCare
After getting your MSP, you can get more BC-sponsored benefits and start saving money on your day-to-day health expenses!
Fair PharmaCare
Save more money on your prescription medications! You may be eligible for Fair PharmaCare in addition to your GSS or other Extended Health Insurance benefits.
Fair PharmaCare is an income-based program available to all B.C. residents, including international students. This program helps cover the cost of eligible prescription medications, certain medical supplies, dispensing fees, and other pharmacy services.
To register, you must:
- Have a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Be enrolled in the provincial Medical Services Plan (MSP)
- Have filed your 2024 income tax return*
Find more information and register here.
Answer “No” to the MSP enrolment question and “Yes” to the Fair PharmaCare question.
You can also register by phone: Toll-free: 1-800-663-7100
If you have not yet registered for MSP, please visit UVic’s MSP application guide.
*Fair PharmaCare uses your income from two years prior to determine your level of coverage, so you will need the net income amount (line 23600) from your Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Notice of Assessment. If you have not filed you 2024 return because you weren’t in Canada yet, you could still be eligible. Call 800-663-7100 and explain your situation.
What is it?
You can get up to 100% off your prescribed medication. The lower your income, the more help you get.
Who can apply?
Anyone who:
- Is a BC resident
- Is enrolled in MSP
- Has a SIN number
- Filed a tax return in Canada two years ago (2024)*
If you are eligible, apply now!
Answer “No” to the MSP enrolment question and “Yes” to the Fair PharmaCare question.
*If you have not filed your 2024 return because you were not yet in Canada at that time, you could still be eligible. Call 1-800-663-7100 and explain your situation.
Special Authority
Are you registered for Fair PharmaCare but still have medications that are not fully covered? You may be eligible for Special Authority!
Special Authority is a program that provides coverage for certain medication in specific medical circumstances. Your family physician or primary care provider can submit the Special Authority request on your behalf.
Find more information here.
What is it?
Some drugs require a special request from a healthcare provider to be covered by Fair PharmaCare. Those are called Special Authority (SA) drugs.
Who can apply?
Anyone who is registered for Fair PharmaCare and whose prescription is not initially covered by it.
If you are eligible, and your prescriber believes an SA drug would be best for your circumstances, ask your prescriber to file a Special Authority request for you.
MSP Supplementary Benefits
Are you looking for extra coverage for services such as physical therapy, massage therapy, chiropractic care, naturopathy, or acupuncture? You may be eligible for MSP supplementary benefits!
MSP Supplementary Benefits is an income-based program that provides partial coverage (up to $23 per visit) for certain services from approved providers. Eligible individuals may receive a contribution toward up to 10 combined visits per calendar year.
Eligibility is based on your adjusted net income from last year and other program criteria.
To qualify you must:
- Be enrolled in MSP
- Have resided in Canada as a Canadian citizen or holder of permanent resident status (for at least 12 months)
Find more information and apply online here.
What is it?
Partial payment for acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, naturopathy, physical therapy, and non-surgical podiatry.
Who can apply?
Anyone who:
- Is a BC resident
- Is enrolled in MSP
- Has resided in Canada as a Canadian citizen or PR holder for the last 12 months
If you are eligible, apply now!
Answer “No” to the MSP enrolment question, “No” to the Fair PharmaCare question, and “Yes” to the Supplementary Benefits question.
Health Connect Registry
Looking for a family physician or nurse practitioner? Register with the Health Connect Registry to match with a primary care provider in BC!
The Health Connect Registry is a free provincial service for people living in B.C. who do not have a family doctor or nurse practitioner. Once registered, you will be contacted when a provider becomes available in your area.
To register you must:
- Live in B.C.
- Be enrolled in MSP
And that’s it!
Registration takes only a few minutes and requires your Personal Health Number (PHN), contact information, and address.
Find more information and register online here.
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