Shingles Vaccine: Free In New Brunswick?

The shingles vaccine is not free in New Brunswick. However, the New Brunswick government will cover the fees that pharmacies charge for prescribing and treating patients with shingles. This means that patients will only be responsible for the pharmacy dispensing fees, the cost of prescribed medications, and any fees for injections. The goal of this initiative is to reduce wait times, increase access to primary care, and reduce pressure on other healthcare providers.

Pharmacists can assess and prescribe medication for shingles

Shingles, or herpes zoster, is a condition that affects mostly the elderly (50 years or older) and people with weakened immune systems. While there is no cure for shingles, vaccination and early treatment with prescription antiviral drugs can speed up healing and lower the risk of complications.

In New Brunswick, pharmacists can assess and prescribe medication for shingles to eligible residents at no service fee. To be eligible, the patient must be a resident of New Brunswick with a valid NB Medicare card, be aged 12 or older, have symptoms of shingles that include a rash, and not reside in a nursing home.

During the assessment, the pharmacist will evaluate the patient's symptoms and obtain information about their medical history. If medication is prescribed, it must be filled on the same day as the assessment. The pharmacist will also develop a follow-up plan to monitor the patient's progress and notify the patient's primary care provider, if they have one.

It is important to note that the program covers the cost of the assessment but does not include the dispensing fee or the cost of the prescribed medication. Patients will still be responsible for these additional charges.

By expanding the role of pharmacists, the province of New Brunswick aims to reduce wait times, increase access to primary care, and lessen the pressure on other healthcare providers. This allows residents to more easily access the healthcare they need and helps to improve the overall efficiency of the healthcare system.

The shingles vaccine is not covered by the government

The decision not to cover the shingles vaccine under government funding may be due to a variety of factors, including budgetary constraints and the prioritization of other health initiatives. However, it is important to note that the vaccine is still accessible to those who need it, albeit at a cost. The vaccine is available through pharmacies and other health providers, and patients are encouraged to discuss their eligibility and the potential benefits of the vaccine with their healthcare professionals.

While the shingles vaccine is not covered, the New Brunswick government has recognized the importance of improving access to healthcare. The province has stated that expanding the role of pharmacists and other healthcare providers will help ensure that residents can access the care they need. This includes reducing the burden on family physicians and emergency rooms, as pharmacists are often more accessible and can provide consultations and treatments for certain conditions, such as shingles.

The shingles vaccine is recommended for people aged 50 and older, as well as immunocompromised individuals aged 18 and older. Shingles can cause severe pain and other complications, so vaccination is an important preventative measure for those at risk. However, without government coverage, the cost of the vaccine may be a barrier for some individuals.

It is important for residents of New Brunswick to be aware of the costs associated with the shingles vaccine, as it is not covered by the government. While the province has taken steps to improve access to healthcare and reduce wait times, the vaccine itself remains a private expense. Individuals considering the vaccine should consult with their healthcare provider to weigh the benefits and costs and make an informed decision about their health.

The government covers pharmacists' fees for shingles treatment

The government of New Brunswick covers the fees for pharmacists' services for shingles treatment. This means that eligible New Brunswick residents can receive an assessment and prescription for shingles medication from a pharmacist with no service fee. However, it is important to note that this program does not cover the cost of dispensing fees, prescribed medications, or injections.

The shingles vaccine is not included in this program. The program specifically covers the costs of assessment and prescribing services provided by pharmacists for shingles treatment, rather than vaccination.

The government's decision to cover pharmacists' fees for shingles treatment is part of an effort to improve access to primary healthcare in the province. According to Health Minister Dorothy Shephard, the previous model for primary healthcare left many residents without access to the care they needed. By expanding the role of pharmacists and other healthcare providers, the government aims to ensure that residents can access care more easily and reduce the pressure on other service providers in the healthcare system.

Andrew Drover, the president of the New Brunswick Pharmacists' Association, has welcomed this change, stating that it will "improve access to care for women managing their reproductive health and for anyone facing shingles." This change also applies to birth control prescriptions, with the government covering pharmacists' fees for prescribing patients with hormonal birth control.

Patients are responsible for pharmacy dispensing fees and medication costs

While the shingles vaccine is not free in New Brunswick, the province has taken steps to improve access to treatment and care for those affected by the virus. For instance, Medicare now covers the fees that pharmacies charge for assessing and treating shingles. This move is aimed at reducing wait times and increasing access to primary care services.

Despite this, patients are still responsible for pharmacy dispensing fees and medication costs. These fees can vary depending on the province or region, and different fee schedules may apply for prescriptions over a certain number of days. For example, in Ontario, the dispensing fee payable to most pharmacies is between $8.83 and $13.25 for each Ontario Drug Benefit (OBD) prescription filled, with higher fees for pharmacies in rural areas. In Alberta, the pharmacy funding framework allows for a dispensing fee of $12.15, except for specific prescription types.

In New Brunswick, the New Brunswick Drug Plans reimburse pharmacies for each eligible prescription dispensed to members, and the applicable dispensing fee is based on the drug category. The drug categories that are covered include drugs on the Manufacturer List Price (MLP) List, the Maximum Allowable Price (MAP) List, extemporaneous preparations (compounds), and oral drugs for the treatment of opioid use disorder.

It is important to note that the dispensing fee or professional fee is an all-inclusive fee that covers the direct and indirect costs associated with dispensing, distribution, and cognitive service functions, including patient counseling and profit. These fees are regulated to ensure that pharmacy service providers establish consistent market-based fees for their services.

The shingles vaccine is recommended for people aged 50+

Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, which lays dormant in the body for years. While shingles can affect anyone, it mostly affects the elderly (50 years or older) and people with weakened immune systems.

The shingles vaccine is the best way to protect against shingles and its complications. The vaccine is recommended for people aged 50 and older and for immunocompromised people aged 18 and older. The CDC recommends that adults 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine called Shingrix to prevent shingles and its complications. The vaccine is more than 90% effective in preventing shingles and its most common complication, postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

In New Brunswick, Medicare will cover the fees that pharmacies charge for assessing and treating shingles. This will help to reduce wait times, increase access to primary care, and lessen the pressure on other healthcare service providers. However, patients will still be responsible for the pharmacy dispensing fees and the cost of prescribed medications.

Frequently asked questions