Do I have to renew PharmaCare Plan G or Special Authority every year for ADHD medication in BC?

In British Columbia you generally do have to renew PharmaCare Plan G about once a year if you still need that plan, but Special Authority is a different program and is not automatically a yearly renewal for every ADHD drug. Plan G is 100 percent coverage of eligible psychiatric medications when cost is a serious barrier and published financial and clinical conditions are met; the prescriber applies, regular coverage is for one year, and it must be renewed. Mental health teams are asked to watch the one-year date. Special Authority is clinical pre-approval for limited-coverage drugs. The current lisdexamfetamine limited-coverage page lists an indefinite approval period once criteria are met, while other drugs on the Special Authority list can have time-limited approvals, so you should check the live Special Authority drug list and your own PharmaNet record rather than assuming every ADHD medication needs an annual Special Authority form. Rules, coverage and referral pathways vary by province and can change; confirm the current position with the relevant institution or provincial program. References: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/bcs-primary-care-system/provincial-attachment-system https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/prescription-stimulants.html https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng87/chapter/recommendations

This is only my personal experience in B.C. Plan G coverage for my psychiatric meds was set for a year and the clinic contacted me to re-apply. My lisdexamfetamine Special Authority did not ask me for a yearly form after it was approved. A friend’s different ADHD drug had a shorter Special Authority window. I am not saying every ADHD medication follows the same renewal calendar.