Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients

Nova Scotia Pharmacare

The Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) is committed to providing financial assistance to eligible Nova Scotian cancer patients through programs such as the Boarding, Transportation and Ostomy (BTO) program and the Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients Program (DACP). 

Boarding, Transportation and Ostomy Program

The Boarding, Transportation, and Ostomy Program is a provincial program that helps eligible Nova Scotia residents undergoing cancer treatment with assistance for costs related to boarding, transportation, and ostomy supply needs.

Benefits

Boarding cost assistance is considered for residents who must travel more than 50 km one-way from their home to the treatment centre.

Transportation cost assistance is considered, at $.57 per km, for residents who use a personal vehicle to travel between their home and the treatment centre.  The Program will also cover the cost for patients using a bus, shuttle or community transportation service.

The program may cover the boarding and/or transportation costs for a travel escort, who, in the opinion of the patient’s physician and verified by the Program Administrator, is considered essential. Travel escort costs must be pre-approved by the Program Administrator.

Eligibility

You may apply if you are actively receiving treatment for cancer at a treatment centre and:

  • are a resident of Nova Scotia with a valid Nova Scotia Health Card,
  • have a gross family income no greater than $35,000 per year, and
  • do not have private insurance that covers the cost of transportation or accommodation.

Enrolment

Complete an Assistance for Cancer Patients Program – Registration Form and mail or fax it, with a copy of the most recent Income Tax Notice of Assessment or Reassessment from Canada Revenue Agency for the person applying, and their spouse or common-law partner, to:

Contact

By Mail:
Boarding, Transportation and Ostomy Program
Nova Scotia Pharmacare Programs
PO Box 500
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 2S1

By Phone:
Telephone: 902-496-7011
Toll Free: 1-866-553-0585
By Fax: 902-490-2275

Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients

The Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients Program is a provincial drug insurance plan designed to help Nova Scotians with the cost of certain cancer-related drugs and supplies. The program is designed to assist low-income Nova Scotians who do not have drug coverage.

Benefits

The Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients Program pays for drugs and devices which are indicated as benefits in the Nova Scotia Formulary.

Benefits include chemotherapeutic agents, pain medications, antiemetic agents, and laxatives for use with chronic opioid therapy. Some medications are considered exception status drugs and require a prescriber’s request for approval. Other agents that are directly related to a patient’s cancer therapy can be considered by the Pharmacare Office upon receipt of a written request from the prescriber.  

Eligibility

You may apply if you have been diagnosed with cancer and:

  • are a resident of Nova Scotia with a valid Nova Scotia Health Card,
  • have a gross family income no greater than $35,000 per year, and
  • do not have drug coverage under any other drug program, except Family Pharmacare or Seniors’ Pharmacare.

Enrolment

Complete an Assistance for Cancer Patients Program – Registration Form and mail or fax it, with a copy of the most recent Income Tax Notice of Assessment or Reassessment from Canada Revenue Agency for the person applying, their parent(s) or guardian(s), spouse or common-law partner, to:

Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients
Nova Scotia Pharmacare Programs
PO Box 500
Halifax NS, B3J 2S1
Fax: (902) 468-9402

Cost

Once approved, patients do not pay for the drugs and devices which are benefits of the Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients Program.

Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients- Questions and Answers

Find answers to common questions about the Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients Program.

Go to Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients Program Questions and Answers page

Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients - Registration Form

Use this form to apply for the Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients Program.

Download the Registration Form in PDF format

Benefits and Reimbursement

Read common questions and answers to frequently asked questions about Pharmacare Program benefits and reimbursement.

Go to Benefits and Reimbursement page

Contact

By Mail:
Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients Program
Nova Scotia Pharmacare Programs
PO Box 500
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 2S1

As a precaution to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the MSI office in Dartmouth is temporarily closed to the public from Monday, 16 March 2020.

You can still contact us by phone or email.

Toll-free phone: 1-800-563-8880 (in Nova Scotia)
Phone: 902-496-7008
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm

Email: msi@medavie.ca