ISSUE #65 cont'd -- Announcement #2

Photo: Caer Weber

NICOTINE REPLACEMENT THERAPIES

& SMOKING CESSATION PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

On May 9, 2011, Premier Clark announced that nicotine replacement therapies will be available to all British Columbian smokers at no cost and smoking cessation prescription drugs will be covered under the PharmaCare program.

Starting September 30, 2011, British Columbians will have the choice of either nicotine gum or patches to help quit tobacco with a free supply for up to 12 weeks, or obtaining PharmaCare coverage of prescription smoking cessation drugs such as bupropion and varenicline.

In September 2011, program details will be available on the PharmaCare website at: http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/pharmacare/stopsmoking.html

In addition, the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) will be announcing program details in the PharmaCare Newsletter which will be available on the PharmaCare website at: http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/pharmacare/newsletter/index.html.

Currently, Ministry staff are hard at work in developing the details of the program in time for the September 30, 2011 launch. If you would like to receive an email notification when new PharmaCare Newsletters and Bulletins are posted on the PharmaCare website, you can subscribe to this service at: http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/pharmacare/listserv/index.html

I also wish to advise you of an existing program known as QuitNow Services. This program offers all British Columbian smokers a free, confidential helpline (1‑877‑455-2233) with information available in 130 languages and an online quit community where professional and peer support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As well, quitters can sign up for email quit tips and text messages, join QuitNow’s Twitter and Facebook page and explore interactive quit tools and resources at: www.quitnow.cahttp://www.quitnow.ca.