Blood glucose testing

BC PharmaCare limits the number of blood glucose test strips it covers for a patient each calendar year. The amount is based on the diabetes treatment they are receiving.

The annual limits provide enough strips to account for normal variations in self-monitoring necessitated by common health changes (e.g., colds, influenza).

On this page: Annual limits | What if more frequent testing is warranted? | Patient resources | Related links

Research shows that most people with type 2 diabetes who are not using insulin do not need to test their blood sugar routinely. There is little evidence that frequent self-monitoring without a medically valid reason improves diabetes care.

Annual test strip limits

Treatment for managing diabetes	Notes	Annual  limit
With insulin and without the use of a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) nor a flash glucose monitor (FGM)	If a patient takes insulin and is not also using a CGM nor an FGM, this limit applies whether or not they are also taking other diabetes medications.	3,000
With insulin and with the use of a CGM/FGM	If a patient uses a CGM/FGM, they may also occasionally need blood glucose test strips. For example, if they see an error code on their CGM/FGM or if their symptoms don’t match their CGM/FGM readings.	200
Anti-hyperglycemic medications with a higher risk of causing hypoglycemia	Drugs with a higher risk of hypoglycemia include insulin secretagogues (e.g., sulfonylureas such as glyburide and meglitinides such as repaglinide).	400
Anti-hyperglycemic medications with a lower risk of causing hypoglycemia	Drugs with a lower risk of hypoglycemia include: Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors such as acarbose Biguanides such as metformin Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors such as linagliptin Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists such as tirzepatide Incretin mimetics/glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) agonists such as semaglutide Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors such as empagliflozin Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) such as pioglitazone	200
Through diet/lifestyle	No notes.	200

Important: If a patient belongs to more than one category, and is not using a CGM/FGM, the higher limit will apply. 

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If more frequent testing is warranted

In certain circumstances, more testing is warranted, resulting in a need for more strips than a patient's annual limit.

If a patient meets one of the criteria below and is not on insulin or is a patient using a CGM/FGM, PharmaCare covers 100 extra strips per year, with a Special Authority request from a prescriber or health professional at a diabetes education centre or authorized primary care network. 

Criteria for additional test strips

Patient has:

• Not met glycemic targets, as determined by a physician, for three months or more
• An acute illness or co-morbidities, which may impact blood glucose control
• Had changes in drug therapy that may impact blood glucose control (e.g., starting or stopping medications that induce hypo- or hyperglycemia, drug-to-drug or drug-disease interactions)
• A job where hypoglycemia presents a significant safety risk (e.g., pilots, air traffic controllers, commercial drivers)
• Gestational diabetes

Additional test strips for a pediatric patient under Nursing Support Services using a CGM/FGM may be requested at the time of initial CGM/FGM request or with a CGM/FGM renewal request (using the CGM/FGM Special Authority request form).

Note: In the rare case that a patient has a medical need for even more frequent testing, or when a patient on insulin needs to test more frequently, an endocrinologist may submit a written request to PharmaCare for additional strips. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. The letter should outline the need for the additional strips and the quantity required.

• See Limited Coverage Medical Supplies - Blood Glucose Test Strips for Special Authority criteria and form

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Resources for your patients

• Diabetes Canada
  • Blood sugar testing
  • Monitoring blood pressure and foot health
  • Developing an action plan

• PharmaCare patient information sheets in multiple languages. Tips for testing blood sugar and managing type 2 diabetes
• Diabetes educators, nurse practitioners, pharmacists at HealthLinkBC. Dial 8-1-1

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