Apply for funding for cancer-related drugs and supplies: Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients Program

What's covered

The Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients Program helps low-income cancer patients with the costs of cancer-related drugs and supplies. The program pays for drugs and devices listed in the Formulary.

Some drugs are considered exception-status drugs and require a prescriber’s request for approval before the program pays for the drug. The program may also cover other drugs or therapies directly related to your cancer therapy if your prescriber provides a written request.

Prescriptions

The program doesn't pay for prescriptions filled in a pharmacy outside of Nova Scotia. The program may consider exceptions.

Once you're approved for the Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients Program, take your prescription to your pharmacy (and show your Health Card). If the drug or device is covered by the program, the cost of the prescription is billed directly to Pharmacare and you get your medications without paying.

If you forget your Health Card, you may need to pay for the prescription at the pharmacy and save your receipt to make a claim. You can submit your receipt to the program for reimbursement consideration if you paid for the prescription.

Travel

The program pays for prescriptions filled in a pharmacy within Nova Scotia. The program may consider out-of-province exceptions when the prescription medication is due to an unexpected occurrence. The program doesn't pay for prescriptions filled outside of Canada. If you plan to travel outside the Nova Scotia, you should take enough medication and supplies for your trip (this helps protect you from prescription costs).

Eligibility

You can apply for funding if you:

• are a resident of Nova Scotia
• have a Health Card (the card can’t be expired)
• are receiving treatment (chemotherapy, radiation or surgery) for cancer at a treatment centre
• have a combined family income of $35,000 or less
• are not eligible for coverage under other drug programs, except Family Pharmacare, Seniors' Pharmacare and Palliative Care

How to apply

1. Complete the Assistance for Cancer Patients Program Application Form (PDF).
2. Check the application for details on all required supporting documents.
3. Submit your completed application and supporting documents.

How long it takes

It should take 1 to 2 weeks to find out if you’re approved for funding. It can take longer if more information is needed or if your application hasn’t been filled in correctly.

Cost

There is no cost to apply for the funding.

Before you start

Make sure you have:

• Health Card number
• most recent Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment
• most recent Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment for your spouse or partner, if applicable
• all adults on the application available to sign the form

Apply online

When you submit the form online you need to create an account or sign in. You also need to upload the Assistance for Cancer Patients Program Application Form PDF and any supporting documents.

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Other ways to apply

You can use the Assistance for Cancer Patients Program Application Form (PDF 159 kB) if you’re unable to submit the form online. Send your completed form and supporting documents by mail or fax.