A student's guide to prescriptions in Nova Scotia.
First year at Dalhousie (or another NS university) comes with a lot of firsts, including figuring out how prescriptions work in a new province. We're right across from the residences, and we've helped hundreds of students get set up. Here's what you need to know.
Transfer your prescriptions →How pharmacy works in Nova Scotia
1. Bring your prescriptions over
Tell us where they're filled now and we'll do the rest. We contact your old pharmacy, pull your records, and set everything up here. It's free and usually takes 1–2 business days. Most medications move smoothly; if any need a Nova Scotia prescriber first (some controlled substances do), we'll flag it before you're caught short.
2. How you pay
Nova Scotia pharmacies can't bill provincial health plans like OHIP, or other provincial coverage tied to your health card number. Your home card covers doctor visits, not prescriptions here. What pays for your meds: the DSU student plan (we direct-bill it), private insurance, or you pay and claim it back. Staying in NS after graduation? We'll help you sort MSI when you become a resident.
3. Student health plan
Dalhousie students have a health & dental plan through the Dalhousie Student Union, and King's, SMU and MSVU have their own plans too. Many students don't realize they're covered. We direct-bill all of them, so you often pay nothing at the counter. Your student number (your B00 at Dal) helps us find your plan fast, and we can look it up with you if you don't have it.
4. Campus care
Dalhousie Student Health & Wellness (in the LeMarchant Place building) offers family physicians, nurses, and mental health support. We work closely with them. Prescriptions written there are ready with us just down the road.
The Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP)
Nova Scotia tracks certain prescriptions, including ADHD stimulants, opioids, benzodiazepines and other controlled substances, through the provincial Prescription Monitoring Program. Four things to know as a student:
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Out-of-province prescribers may not be registered to prescribe controlled substances in NS. If your prescription is from a doctor in another province (e.g. your ADHD medication), it may need to be re-issued by a Nova Scotia prescriber before we can fill it.
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We can register your prescriber If your out-of-province prescriber needs to be registered with the PMP, we'll fax them the forms they need to fill out and follow up for you. No paperwork on your end.
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Don't let your supply run out Getting a new prescription and finding a prescriber takes time. Start 2–4 weeks before you're out, and we'll help you plan.
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Dalhousie Student Health & Wellness can help They can often re-issue these prescriptions for registered students. Ask us and we'll point you to the right clinic.
Harm reduction: Brown Bag Program
We're a participating pharmacy in Mainline's Brown Bag Program. Ask at the counter and you'll get a free, discreet brown bag with 10 clean syringes plus cookers, water, filters and ties. No questions asked, no judgement. You're welcome here whether you need them or know someone who does.
We also offer Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAMT), including witnessed methadone and buprenorphine dosing, in a safe, judgement-free setting. Talk to us in confidence at (902) 423-8000.
Free needles & syringes. No questions asked.
If you take injectable medication, including testosterone for gender-affirming hormone therapy, we supply free needles, syringes and sharps containers for safe disposal. No prescription check, no questions, no judgement. Just ask at the counter.
Ready to switch to us?
Two minutes on the transfer form and we handle the rest, including the questions above. No paperwork for you, no waiting on hold.