Smoking Cessation Therapies

The NB Drug Plans (New Brunswick Prescription Drug Program and New Brunswick Drug Plan) cover certain smoking cessation therapies for individuals enrolled in Plans ACDEFGV.

Treatment with either non-nicotine or nicotine replacement therapies will be reimbursed annually without special authorization (SA) as outlined in the tables below:

*18 years of age or older

** Not an eligible benefit for Plan C

Only those products for which prices have been confirmed are eligible benefits. 

SA Requests for Additional Quantities

Additional reimbursement of bupropion OR nicotine patches for individuals who have a high probability of quitting with additional therapy will require SA using the Smoking Cessation Therapy Special Authorization Request Form.

Refer to the Smoking Cessation Therapy Special Authorization Request Form for further information on additional quantities of smoking cessation therapies permitted annually.

The Smoking Cessation Therapy Special Authorization Request Form can be completed by a licensed prescriber (physician, nurse practitioner, or pharmacist), nurse, or respiratory therapist. A separate patient prescription must be written by a licensed prescriber for all nicotine replacement and non-nicotine smoking cessation therapies.

Correctional Services must use the Correctional Services Smoking Cessation Therapy Special Authorization Request Form.

• The current dispensing fee and mark-up apply to claims for all smoking cessation products. Please refer to the Dispensing Fees and Drug Cost Reimbursement webpage for the applicable amounts.
• The Frequency of Dispensing and Payment Policy applies. The exceptions to this policy (e.g. daily and weekly dispensing) are not permitted for smoking cessation therapies.
• Information to be included in claims is outlined on the New Brunswick Drug Plans Claim Submissions webpage.

• Claims that do not comply with the policies of the NB Drug Plans are subject to audit and recovery.