National pharmacare program starts in B.C. on March 1, expanding diabetes and hormone drug access

British Columbia will begin a national pharmacare program on March 1 that provides free coverage for eligible diabetes medications, contraceptives, and menopausal hormone therapy under a four-year agreement with $670 million in federal funding.

British Columbia will start the national pharmacare program on March 1. The province and federal government signed a four-year agreement that includes $670 million in federal funding. The program will provide free coverage for eligible Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes medications, contraceptives, and menopausal hormone therapy. B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne said the change will help over half a million residents with diabetes and about 160,000 people with menopausal symptoms. Key details: - The program begins March 1 and coverage will be processed at every pharmacy for residents enrolled in the B.C. Medical Services Plan without a separate registration step. - The federal funding commitment is $670 million over four years to support implementation in B.C. - Eligible medications covered include treatments for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, contraceptives, and menopausal hormone therapy. - The program does not include Ozempic or its generic forms at this time; clinicians noted Ozempic is used as a treatment for obesity and expressed optimism it could be considered later. - Officials and clinicians said the changes will affect an estimated more than 500,000 people with diabetes and about 160,000 people with menopausal symptoms. Summary: The program is intended to remove out-of-pocket costs for the listed medications across B.C. and is backed by a four-year federal funding agreement. Undetermined at this time.