PharmaCare Newsletter
Last updated on August 5, 2026
August 2026 PharmaCare Newsletter
Print off the PDF of this PharmaCare Newsletter, and post it in your pharmacy for staff to read!
August 2026 PharmaCare Newsletter (PDF)
Find past issues on the newsletter search page.
Q: Does vaginal prasterone offer an additional advantage on measures of sexual dysfunction compared to vaginal estrogen products accessible in the National Pharmacare formulary (Plan NP)?
A: The answer is in the current edition of PAD Refills. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on news and updates!
Witness payment policies for PA and methadone ingestion
PharmaCare is clarifying its payment policies for in-person and virtual witnessing of ingestion of prescribed alternatives (PAs) and methadone.
For pharmacies to qualify for the PA witnessing fee
- Community pharmacy: a pharmacist must witness the dosing in person. Witnessing by any other health professional is not eligible
- Delivery to client as part of outreach care: a B.C. regulated health professional (e.g., pharmacist, nurse) delegated by the pharmacist must witness the dosing in person
Virtual (by video) witnessing of PA dosing is not eligible for the PA witnessing fee.
For pharmacies to qualify for the methadone interaction fee
- Community pharmacy: a pharmacist must witness the ingestion of the medication in person. Witnessing by any other health professional is not eligible
- Delivery to client as part of outreach care:
- a regulated health professional (including pharmacists) must witness the ingestion of methadone in person, or
- virtual witnessing must be done by a pharmacist. No other regulated health professional can witness virtually. In case of virtual witnessing, the person delivering the methadone must be a pharmacy employee who can set up the virtual assessment through an appropriate video platform, and does not need to be a regulated health professional
Each witnessed ingestion, whether in-person or virtual, must be recorded in a witness accountability log.
The only situations eligible for PharmaCare witness fees for PA and methadone ingestion
(no other situations are eligible)
| Service | Setting | Witnessing type | Who can witness | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prescribed alternatives (PA) dosing | Pharmacy | In person | Pharmacist only | ||
| Delivery | In person | B.C. regulated health professional | |||
| Methadone ingestion | Pharmacy | In person | Pharmacist only | ||
| Delivery | In person | B.C. regulated health professional | |||
| Delivery | Virtual | Pharmacist only | |||
PA witness fees and methadone interaction fees are subject to audit and recovery. Refer to the PharmaCare Policy Manual, Section 10.1: Audit Policies
Resources
- Prescribed alternatives (PharmaCare web page)
- PharmaCare Policy Manual, Section 8.16: Prescribed Alternatives Witnessing Fee
- PharmaCare Policy Manual, Section 8.8: Methadone Maintenance Payment Policy
- Clinical Bulletin: Updated Prescribed Alternatives Policy – Implications for Clinical Practice (PDF, 2.6MB)
- Access to Prescribed Alternatives in British Columbia (PDF, 304KB)
Pharmacy OAT training transitions to UBC CPPD
The delivery of pharmacy opioid agonist treatment (OAT) training is transitioning this fall. The University of British Columbia’s Continuing Pharmacy Professional Development (UBC CPPD) program will launch a new OAT (P‑OAT) program in October 2026, and the current BC Pharmacy Association (BCPhA) Opioid Agonist Treatment Compliance and Management Program for Pharmacy (OAT-CAMPP) will conclude in December 2026.
The transition period of October to December 2026, when both programs will be offered, is in place to ensure continuity of OAT education.
The new program will be free, CCCEP-accredited (Canadian Council on Continuing Education in Pharmacy), and adds new content to the OAT-CAMPP curriculum, including an Indigenous Peoples module.
More information will be communicated in the coming months. Stay informed by reading the PharmaCare Newsletter and communications from CPBC, BCPhA, and UBC CPPD. Subscribe to the PharmaCare Newsletter to receive notifications when new issues are released.
The Ministry of Health is grateful to BCPhA for delivering high-quality OAT training to over 6,600 pharmacy professionals since 2018 and helping to improve the experience of OAT clients.
Resources
- Continuing Pharmacy Professional Development UBC (CPPD)
- Opioid Agonist Treatment Compliance and Management Program for Pharmacy (OAT-CAMPP) (BCPhA)
Pharmacy Council celebrates its first year
In May 2025, the Ministry of Health established the Pharmacy Council, an advisory body of 34 frontline pharmacy professionals from across B.C., who provide advice and feedback on pharmacy practice, pharmaceutical care programs, client and provider experiences, and emerging issues affecting the profession.
Council members help identify opportunities, challenges, and implementation considerations that can be incorporated into policy analysis, program planning, and the ongoing development of pharmacy services in B.C. The council also provides a mechanism for the Ministry to test ideas and explore potential impacts and the practical realities of implementation before introducing a new program or policy.
In its first year, the Pharmacy Council met four times.
The Council explored:
- Ministry programs and priorities, including the work of the Pharmacy Clinical Services & Evaluation (PCSE) team
- PharmaCare communications and opportunities to improve information-sharing and engagement with pharmacy professionals
- Pharmacist scope of practice initiatives, implementation experiences, patient access, education and support needs, and opportunities for future projects
- System and workflow improvements to further support pharmacists in delivering patient care
- Medication management initiatives for patients living with chronic conditions
- Opportunities to improve transitions and continuity of care across health-care settings
- PharmaCare program integrity and audit-related processes
Discussions focused on strategic and operational topics affecting pharmacy practice and patient care in the province. Council members provided valuable frontline perspectives on pharmacy practice, patient care, and service delivery from a variety of practice settings and regions across B.C.
The Ministry thanks Pharmacy Council members for their commitment, engagement, and thoughtful contributions during the council' s first year. Their expertise continues to help inform initiatives that support high-quality pharmaceutical care and enhance patient access to pharmacy services across B.C.
Learn more and view the Pharmacy Council 2025/26 Year in Review infographic at Ministry of Health Pharmacy Council
Resources
- Ministry of Health Pharmacy Council
- Pharmacy Council 2025/26 Year in Review infographic (PDF, 261KB)
Naturopaths: Your PharmaNet ID remains 5 digits
Although College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC) licensee numbers will now be 7 digits instead of 5, licensee PharmaNet ID remains 5 digits.
PharmaNet requires a 5-digit identifier to access the network and for dispensing of prescriptions. This 5-digit number is the PharmaNet ID.
As of September 1, 2026:
- New naturopaths will be assigned a 5-digit PharmaNet ID by CCHPBC when authorized to prescribe
- Naturopaths who had a 5-digit number for PharmaNet before September 1, 2026, will continue to use that 5-digit number as their PharmaNet ID
- Naturopaths enrolling in PRIME will be required to enter both their 7-digit CCHPBC licensee number and their 5-digit PharmaNet ID
Please note that the college must provide details to PharmaNet before the naturopath can enrol in PRIME. This normally takes a few business days.
The 5-digit PharmaNet ID must appear on all prescriptions written by naturopaths, or a community pharmacy will not be able to dispense the medication. A licence number cannot be used for this purpose.
All health professionals who wish to access PharmaNet to provide patient care must first enrol in PRIME to request Ministry of Health approval to use PharmaNet. Annual renewal of enrolment is required to maintain access. Learn more at PRIME. If you have questions, please contact PRIMESupport@gov.bc.ca
Resources
New resources: Helping clients understand Special Authority
Earlier this year, the PharmaCare communications team asked pharmacists to share their experiences helping clients understand PharmaCare. Thank you to everyone who completed the survey, which was announced in the November 2025 PharmaCare Newsletter (PDF, 605KB)
One theme was client confusion about Special Authority. Many told us that clients often believe Special Authority approval means their medication will be free, or that coverage is retroactive. This leads to frustration when clients face out-of-pocket costs and creates demands on pharmacist time as they explain the program.
In response, the PharmaCare communications team has created a Special Authority poster (PDF, 230KB), and a plain-language infographic (JPG, 356KB) to help explain how Special Authority works.
The resources explain:
- Why some coverage requires Special Authority approval
- Request process and decision timeline
- Online submissions are quicker
- Online submissions can be tracked in Health Gateway
- Why approval does not necessarily mean free
- Coverage is not retroactive
We hope that pharmacies and health clinics will display the poster in waiting areas, counselling spaces, and on online channels such as websites and social media, and distribute the handout.
Health clinic staff can share the handout when discussing a Special Authority request to help patients understand the process and set appropriate coverage expectations before they visit a pharmacy.
Resources
- Special Authority poster (PDF, 230KB)
- Special Authority infographic (JPG, 356KB) (for websites and social media)
PharmaCare launches Community Hub and Newsletter
The new online BC PharmaCare Community Hub and PharmaCare Community Newsletter are filled with information and resources created specifically for community organizations, so that they can help their clients better understand and access PharmaCare coverage.
The goal for this project is to reduce the time that pharmacists spend explaining PharmaCare programs to the public. After determining that community organizations were critically placed for this work, the communications team met with non-profit leaders and staff across the province. Many were excited about the project and helped identify resources that would work for them and their clients.
The Community Hub links to articles, infographics, posters, handouts and learning modules. These are in plain language and designed to be accessible and inclusive. The most important resources will be translated into the languages most spoken in B.C. communities.
While these resources were created primarily for community organizations, we encourage pharmacists and other healthcare providers to explore and share these resources with clients and community partners.
The Community Hub will continue to grow as new resources are added. We will share updates in the new, quarterly PharmaCare Community Newsletter. Please subscribe!
Resources
Formulary and listing updates
Regular benefits: clozapine (Gen-Clozapine ODT®)
PharmaCare has added the following drug to the PharmaCare drug list as a regular benefit.
| Drug name | clozapine (Gen-Clozapine ODT®) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | July 2, 2026 | ||
| Indication | For the management of symptoms of treatment-resistant schizophrenia. | ||
| DINs | 02554631 02554658 02554666 02554674 02554682 |
Strength & form | 12.5 mg orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) 25 mg ODT 50 mg ODT 100 mg ODT 200 mg ODT |
| Covered under plans | Fair PharmaCare, Plan B, Plan C, Plan F, Plan G and Plan W | ||
Limited Coverage benefits: rivaroxaban granules (Xarelto), omalizumab (Omlyclo®), denosumab biosimilars (Bildyos®, Tuzemty®), risperidone (Okedi®), abrocitinib (Cibinqo™), lebrikizumab (Ebglyss™), upadacitinib (Rinvoq®), ustekinumab biosimilars (Otulfi®, Pyzchiva®, Steqeyma®, Wezlana™, Yesintek™)
PharmaCare has added the following limited coverage items to the PharmaCare drug list. Special Authority approval is required for coverage.
| Drug name | rivaroxaban granules (Xarelt) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | July 8, 2026 | ||
| Indication | For the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and the prevention of recurrent VTE in term neonates, infants and toddlers, children, and adolescents under 18 years of age, following at least five days of initial parenteral anticoagulation therapy. | ||
| DINs | 02510162 02510170 |
Strength & form | 51.7 mg/bottle 103.4 mg/bottle (both strengths 1 mg/mL when reconstituted) |
| Covered under plans | Fair PharmaCare, Plan B, Plan C, Plan P, and Plan W (Special Authority required) | ||
| Drug name | omalizumab (Omlyclo®) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | July 15, 2026 | ||
| Indication | For the treatment of allergic asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis, and chronic idiopathic urticaria | ||
| DINs | 02561018 02561026 |
Strength & form | 75 mg/0.5 mL in a pre-filled pen 150 mg/mL in a pre-filled pen |
| Covered under plans | Fair PharmaCare, Plan B, Plan C and Plan W (Special Authority required) | ||
| Notes | When entering claims for Omlyclo, the unit of measurement is number of pre-filled syringes or pre-filled pens, as per Correct quantities for PharmaCare claims. Previously, the non-benefit biologic (Xolair), was covered exceptionally when a practitioner could demonstrate need. This new coverage will reduce administrative burden for practitioners, improve access for patients, and ensure wise use of the PharmaCare budget as with other biosimilar coverage. | ||
| Drug name | denosumab biosimilars (Bildyos®, Tuzemty®) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | July 22, 2026 | ||
| Indication | Bildyos: For the treatment of osteoporosis (limited coverage benefit) Tuzemty: Hypercalcemia of malignancy (Plan P benefit) |
||
| DINs | Bildyos: 02565951 Tuzemty: 02566001 |
Strength & form | Bildyos: 60 mg/mL pre-filled syringe Tuzemty: 120 mg/1.7 mL single-use vial |
| Covered under plans | Bildyos is covered under Fair PharmaCare, Plan B, Plan C, and Plan W (Special Authority required). Tuzemty is covered under Plan P (Palliative Care) only. |
||
| Notes | When entering claims for denosumab, the unit of measurement is volume in millilitres, as per Correct quantities for PharmaCare claims | ||
| Drug name | risperidone (Okedi®) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | July 22, 2026 | ||
| Indication | For the management of manifestations of schizophrenia or related psychotic disorders (not dementia-related) in patients. | ||
| DINs | 02544601 02544628 |
Strength & form | 75 mg pre-filled syringe 100 mg pre-filled syringe |
| Covered under plans | Fair PharmaCare, Plan B, Plan C, Plan G and Plan W (Special Authority required) | ||
| Drug name | abrocitinib (Cibinqo™) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | August 5, 2026 | ||
| Indication | For the treatment of atopic dermatitis. | ||
| DINs | 02528363 02528371 02528398 |
Strength & form | 50 mg tablet 100 mg tablet 150 mg tablet |
| Covered under plans | Fair PharmaCare, Plan B, Plan C, and Plan W (Special Authority required) | ||
| Notes | Following the listing of lebrikizumab for atopic dermatitis on August 5, 2026, PharmaCare has revised the limited coverage criteria for abrocitinib, reducing the requirement for prior treatment failure from two systemic immunomodulators to one. | ||
| Drug name | lebrikizumab (Ebglyss™) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | August 5, 2026 | ||
| Indication | For the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in patients 12 years of age and older. | ||
| DINs | 02549123 02549131 |
Strength & form | 250 mg/2 mL pre-filled pen 250 mg/2 mL pre-filled syringe |
| Covered under plans | Fair PharmaCare, Plan B, Plan C, and Plan W (Special Authority required) | ||
| Drug name | upadacitinib (Rinvoq®) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | August 5, 2026 | ||
| Indication | For the treatment of atopic dermatitis. | ||
| DINs | 02495155 02520893 |
Strength & form | 15 mg extended-release tablet 30 mg extended-release tablet |
| Covered under plans | Fair PharmaCare, Plan B, Plan C, and Plan W (Special Authority required) | ||
| Notes | Following the listing of lebrikizumab for atopic dermatitis on August 5, 2026, PharmaCare has revised the limited coverage criteria for upadacitinib, reducing the requirement for prior treatment failure from two systemic immunomodulators to one. | ||
| Drug name | ustekinumab biosimilars | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | August 5, 2026 | ||
| Indication | For the treatment of adults with: | ||
| Product name | DINs | Strength & form | |
| Otulfi® | 02554283 | 45 mg/0.5 mL pre-filled, single-use syringe for subcutaneous injection | |
| 02554291 | 90 mg/1.0 mL pre-filled, single-use syringe for subcutaneous injection | ||
| 02554305 | 130 mg/26 mL single-use vial for intravenous infusion | ||
| Pyzchiva® | 02550539 | 45 mg/0.5 mL pre-filled, single-use syringe for subcutaneous injection | |
| 02550547 | 90 mg/1.0 mL pre-filled, single-use syringe for subcutaneous injection | ||
| 02550520 | 130 mg/26 mL single-use vial for intravenous infusion | ||
| Wezlana™ | 02553317 | 45 mg/0.5 mL pre-filled, single-use autoinjector for subcutaneous injection | |
| 02553309 | 90 mg/1.0 mL pre-filled, single-use autoinjector for subcutaneous injection | ||
| Yesintek™ | 02562081 | 45 mg/0.5 mL pre-filled, single-use syringe for subcutaneous injection | |
| 02562103 | 90 mg/1.0 mL pre-filled, single-use syringe for subcutaneous injection | ||
| 02562111 | 130 mg/26 mL single-use vial for intravenous infusion | ||
EDRD benefits: vanzacaftor/tezacaftor/deutivacaftor (Alyftrek®)
PharmaCare has expanded coverage of the following drugs through the Expensive Drugs for Rare Diseases (EDRD) process.
| Drug name | vanzacaftor/tezacaftor/deutivacaftor (Alyftrek®) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | July 29, 2026 | ||
| Indication | For the treatment of cystic fibrosis in patients aged 6 years and older who have at least one F508del mutation or another responsive mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene. | ||
| DINs | 02559676 02559684 |
Strength & form | vanzacaftor (as vanzacaftor calcium) 4 mg / tezacaftor 20 mg / deutivacaftor 50 mg film-coated tablet vanzacaftor (as vanzacaftor calcium) 10 mg / tezacaftor 50 mg / deutivacaftor 125 mg film-coated tablet |
Non-benefits: omaveloxone (Skyclarys®), garadacimab (Andembry®)
PharmaCare has decided not to cover the following drugs for the noted indications.
| Drug name | omaveloxone (Skyclarys®) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | July 8, 2026 | ||
| Indication | For the treatment of Friedrich’s ataxia in patients 16 years of age and older. | ||
| DIN | 02556219 | Strength & form | 50 mg capsule |
| Drug name | garadacimab (Andembry®) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | July 23, 2026 | ||
| Indication | For routine prevention of attacks of hereditary angioedema in adult and pediatric patients (aged 12 and older). | ||
| DIN | 02559765 | Strength & form | 200 mg solution for subcutaneous injection |
Discontinuation: metolazone (Zaroxolyn)
PharmaCare has received notice that effective October 31, 2026, Sanofi Canada will be discontinuing metolazone (Zaroxolyn) 2.5 mg tablets, DIN 00888400. The last lot expiry date has yet to be received. Other alternatives within the thiazide-like diuretic class (e.g., chlorthalidone and indapamide) remain available.
| Drug name | metolazone (Zaroxolyn) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Expiry of current lot available | TBD | ||
| Drug class | Thiazide-like diuretic | ||
| DIN | 00888400 | Strength & form | 2.5 mg tablets |
Price reduction: denosumab (Jubbonti® and Wyost™)
Effective September 4, 2026, the prices for the following products will be reduced. Prices include 8% markup.
| Drug name | Jubbonti® | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date effective | September 4, 2026 | ||
| DIN | Strength & form | Current price per unit | Reduced price per unit |
| 02545411 | 60 mg/mL pre-filled syringe | $210.2760 | $195.5556 |
| Drug name | Wyost™ | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date effective | September 4, 2026 | ||
| DIN | Strength & form | Current price per unit | Reduced price per unit |
| 02545764 | 120 mg/1.7 mL vial | $336.9600 | $313.3728 |
Your Voice: Input needed for drug decisions
The knowledge and experience of patients, caregivers and patient groups is integral to B.C.'s drug review process. If you know someone who is taking one of the drugs below or who has a condition any of the drugs treat, please encourage them to visit www.gov.bc.ca/BCyourvoice.
Your Voice is now accepting input on the following drugs:
| Drug | Indication | Input window | ||
| tirzepatide (Zepbound®) | Obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity, without diabetes | July 29 to August 25 at 11:59 pm | ||
| adalimumab (biosimilars, various) | Pediatric Crohn’s disease and pediatric ulcerative colitis | July 29 to August 25 at 11:59 pm | ||
| infliximab (biosimilars, various) | Pediatric Crohn’s disease and pediatric ulcerative colitis | July 29 to August 25 at 11:59 pm | ||
| leniolisib (Joenja®) | Activated phosphoinositide 3 kinase delta syndrome in patients 12 and older | July 29 to August 25 at 11:59 pm | ||
| setmalenotide (Imcivree) | Weight management in patients 4 and older with hypothalamic obesity | July 29 to August 25 at 11:59 pm | ||
About the PharmaCare Newsletter
The PharmaCare Newsletter is published on the first Wednesday of each month, with occasional mid-month releases. The PharmaCare Newsletter communicates drug listings, PharmaCare policy, PharmaNet procedures, and other pertinent information for PharmaCare providers and health care partners.
Information in previous newsletters is accurate as of the date it was published. Newsletters are not retroactively updated when policy, procedures or other information changes. Refer to the most recent mention of a topic for up-to-date information.
Search past newsletters on the Newsletter search page.
Subscribe
Enter your email address to subscribe to updates of this page.
The PharmaCare Newsletter team works from the territory of the Lekwungen People, including the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. Our gratitude extends to them, and all the Indigenous Peoples on whose territories and lands we build relationships.
BC PharmaCare counts on pharmacy and device providers to practise cultural safety and humility.
To learn more, read Coming Together for Wellness, a series of articles by First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and PharmaCare, and consider taking the online San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety course.
Active advisories
Hydromorphone tablets; Famotidine vial for injection; cyclophosphamide vial for injection; oseltamivir 6 mg/mL suspension; bicillin L-A for intramuscular injection; rifabutin capsules; lomustine capsules.
Visit Drug shortages for full list and details.