STOP SMOKING MEDICATIONS
Free Medications Available in Ontario:
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or prescription medication, in combination with behavioural counseling can significantly increase quit rates.
“Clinicians should encourage all patients attempting to quit to use effective medications for tobacco dependence treatment, except where contraindicated or for specific populations for which there is insufficient evidence of effectiveness”.
This Chart outlines nicotine replacement therapies and bupropion and varenicline.
The Ontario Medical Association position paper Rethinking Stop-Smoking Medictions, provides further recommendations.
Access to Free Nicotine Replacement Therapies:
**NEW** As of January 1st 2018 OHIP+ will provide coverage of drugs that are available through the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program (ie Champix, Zyban) for all children and youth who are covered by OHIP and aged 24 and under.
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
- STOP (Smoking Treatment for Ontario Patients) Study provides NRT for free to tobacco users eligible to take part in the study at:
- Participating Family Health Teams
- Participating Community Health Centres
- Participating Ontario Addiction Treatment Centers
- Annual local STOP on the Road events
- Contact stop_study@camh.net or 416-535-8501 ext. 4455.
Local Public Health Units
- May offer access to free NRT and quit smoking medications through local smoking cessation clinics.
Access to Free Champix and Zyban:
Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary
- Champix and Zyban available on the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary effective August 2011.
- Ontario Drug Benefit recipients are eligible to participate in the Pharmacy Smoking Cessation counseling by local pharmacists effective September 2011.