Many diabetes medications soon to be fully covered

On March 1, 2026, BC PharmaCare National Pharmacare Plan will be launching for provincial residents and will cover the full cost of various diabetes medications and menopausal hormone therapy.

According to a recent release form the Province, close to 570,000 British Columbians who are living with diabetes will receive support from this improved coverage as well as roughly 160,000 individuals dealing with menopausal symptoms.

“This is a game changer for people who will now be able to access vital medications without worrying about how much they cost,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “Coverage for menopausal therapy and diabetes medication will increase the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of British Columbians, and this builds on our government’s expansion of PharmaCare, including becoming the first jurisdiction in Canada to provide free prescription birth control.”

The Canadian and provincial governments signed an agreement last year on March 6, which stated the federal government would provide up to $670 million over three years as they implement national PharmaCare in B.C. This expanded coverage applying to supplies and diabetes related devices is expected to begin on April 1.

“Many Canadians are feeling the pressure of daily expenses, including the high cost of their medications,” said Marjorie Michel, federal Minister of Health. “Pharmacare programs like this mean that residents of British Columbia will no longer have to worry about the cost of many medications.”

Through this agreement, eligible medications for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes will be 100 percent covered as well as menopausal hormone therapy and contraceptives.

Similar to all BC PharmaCare plans, the coverage will be processed at the pharmacy counter and residents who are enrolled in the Medical Services Plan will need to present their BC Services Card and prescription to receive the support.

“Diabetes is an expensive condition to manage, and individuals with diabetes and families often have to pay high out-of-pocket costs to acquire the medication, devices and supplies needed to help reduce the risk of developing serious complications,” said Perry Balascak, a Burnaby resident who lives with Type 1 diabetes. “I have lived with this disease for 58 years of my life and I know the importance of managing and navigating this disease. I welcome the federally funded PharmaCare coverage so some of the financial burden can be lifted for British Columbians living with diabetes.”

Medications which will be covered by this include metformin, insulin, sulfonylureas, such as glyburide and gliclazide, dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, saxagliptin, linagliptin and pioglitazone.

“The launch of the BC Pharmacare National Pharmacare plan on March 1, with first-dollar coverage of all commonly used diabetes tablets and biosimilar insulins, is tremendously welcome news for British Columbians living with diabetes, their families and their doctors,” said Dr. Tom Elliott, medical director, B.C. Diabetes. “No longer will people living with diabetes have to decide between putting food on the table and filling a prescription for basic life-saving diabetes medication.”

Diabetes medications and menopausal hormone therapies are already covered by BC PharmaCare, however individuals previously had to meet deductible requirements based on income before receiving full coverage.

Included in this new coverage is also oral, topical and vaginal menopausal hormone therapies according to the release.

“Menopausal hormone therapy is an effective treatment to reduce menopausal symptoms and improve quality of life for people experiencing menopause,” said Cheryl Davies, chief operating officer, B.C. Women’s Hospital + Health Centre. “We recently marked one year since opening the Complex Menopause Clinic at B.C. Women’s and hear first-hand how this treatment can be transformative. This announcement, which has been informed by significant research and advocacy for women’s health, paves the way for policy decisions to improve health care at both provincial and national levels.”

The expanded PharmaCare coverage takes effect March 1 for medications, with additional diabetes supplies and devices expected to be covered beginning April 1.