Medications and Pharmacare Notes

Medications

• A medication is a substance used to treat diseases and illnesses or to relieve pain.
• Reasons people use medications:
  • To treat symptoms of an illness
  • To prevent a disease
  • To manage a disease
  • To cure a disease

Over the Counter Medications

• Sold to people without a doctor’s prescription.
• Purchased at local stores and pharmacies.
• Used to treat the symptoms of many relatively minor health conditions.

Prescription Medications

• Can only be sold to a person with a prescription from a doctor or other licensed health care professional.
• In Nova Scotia, pharmacists can write prescriptions for minor ailments.
• Different types of prescription medications have different functions.

Herbal Medications and Supplements

• Sold to people without a doctor’s prescription.
• Purchased at local stores and pharmacies.
• Often used to improve general health.
• Dietary supplements: Vitamins and minerals.
• Herbal and natural products.

Pharmacare

• A drug insurance plan designed to help individuals with the cost of their prescription drugs.
• In Nova Scotia, there are two such programs:
  • Family Pharmacare
  • Seniors’ Pharmacare

Family Pharmacare

• Helps cover the costs of certain prescribed drugs, supplies, and related services.
• Eligibility requirements:
  • Must be a resident of Nova Scotia with a valid Nova Scotia Health Card.
  • Agree to family income verification through the CRA and provide family size information each year.
• There is no premium or fee to join the Family Pharmacare Program.

Seniors’ Pharmacare

• Membership requirements:
  • Must live in Nova Scotia.
  • Have a valid Nova Scotia Health Card.
  • Be at least 65 years old.
  • Not have prescription drug coverage under any other plan or programs.
• Pay an annual premium based on your household income.
• Pay an annual copayment at the pharmacy or directly to the Seniors’ Pharmacare Program.

Definitions

• Premium: a sum of money you pay (usually monthly) for insurance coverage.
• Copayment: a flat fee you pay for a health care service, in this case prescription medication.