Travel supply policy

The maximum days’ supply for most prescriptions that can be reimbursed by the New Brunswick Prescription Drug Program (NBPDP) at a time is 100 days. Exceptions to this include benzodiazepines, narcotics and controlled drugs, which are limited to a maximum of 35 days’ supply, and designated high cost drugs which are limited to a maximum days’ supply when administered at standard doses.

At the pharmacy (NBPDP seniors)

Claims for a travel supply of certain drugs for NBPDP beneficiaries who are seniors (Plan A) may be submitted electronically by pharmacies prior to the senior leaving the province. Claims must meet the following criteria:

• one travel supply of up to 100 days may be submitted in addition to a first fill/refill of up to 100 days (the total quantity of each drug that the senior has on hand cannot exceed a 200 days’ supply)
• the senior should be stabilized on the drug(s)
• the senior must provide one of the following travel details to the pharmacy which will be retained on file for audit purposes:
  • a letter, which can be written by the senior, confirming that they are leaving the province for more than 100 days (must specify the departure and return date)
  • a copy of the senior’s travel insurance, confirming they are leaving the province for more than 100 days

By mail (all NBPDP beneficiaries)

Beneficiaries may purchase a travel supply of drugs prior to leaving the province and submit the receipt for reimbursement of eligible drugs after returning. Reimbursement can only be considered once at least 80% of the days’ supply of the previous prescription fill/refill has elapsed. 

The following documentation must be sent to NBPDP at the address below:

• an official prescription receipt from the pharmacy
• a letter, which can be written by the beneficiary, confirming that they left the province for more than 100 days (must specify the departure and return date) or a copy of the beneficiary’s travel insurance, confirming they left the province for more than 100 days

The reimbursement amount for the drug, pharmacy dispensing fee and mark-up will not exceed the regulated rates that were in effect on the date of the receipt. Pharmacies may not charge beneficiaries more than regulated rates for the drug, pharmacy dispensing fee and mark-up, even if they pay out-of-pocket for the prescription.

Certain designated high cost drugs, limited to a maximum days’ supply, are listed on the Maximum Allowable Price (MAP) (PDF 661 KB) list and the Manufacturer List Price (MLP) (PDF 1.9 MB) list.

Travel supplies of these drugs may not be submitted electronically by pharmacies. Beneficiaries may purchase a travel supply of drugs and submit the receipt for reimbursement of eligible drugs after returning. Reimbursement can only be considered once at least 80% of the days’ supply of the previous prescription fill/refill has elapsed. 

The following documentation must be sent to NBPDP at the address below:

• an official prescription receipt from the pharmacy
• a letter, which can be written by the beneficiary, confirming they left the province for more than 100 days (must specify the departure and return date)
• a copy of the beneficiary’s travel insurance, confirming they left the province for more than 100 days

Benzodiazepines, narcotics and controlled drugs

Prescriptions for these drugs are limited to a maximum of 35 days’ supply at a time.

Claims for travel supplies for seniors (Plan A) prior to their departure must be submitted by mail as follows:

• First fill or refill — the pharmacy must submit the initial claim electronically for up to a maximum of 100 days’ supply, depending on the drug.
• Travel supply — the pharmacy must submit the travel supply claim electronically on the following day, using the CPhA Intervention Code MV for up to a maximum of 100 days’ supply. The total supply on hand cannot exceed 200 days.

New Brunswick Prescription Drug Program
P. O. Box 690
Moncton, NB
E1C 8M7