National pharmacare in B.C.

Last updated on January 20, 2026

Coming soon! National pharmacare drug coverage is launching for B.C. residents on March 1, 2026. National pharmacare will cover the full cost of many diabetes medications and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), also called hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

If you have diabetes, you will generally have free access to medications like:

  • Metformin, which can cost about $100 per year
  • Insulin, which can cost between $900 and $1,700 per year
  • Sulfonylureas and SGLT-2 inhibitors, which can cost from $100 to over $1,000 per year

Some diabetes medications and MHTs will be partially covered. A pharmacist or prescriber can often change a partially covered prescription (e.g., brand name) to an equally safe and effective product that is 100% covered (e.g., generic) under the Low Cost Alternative (LCA) program. Generics can cost 15% to 90% less than brands. The LCA program supports wise use of drug coverage funding.

If you have medications covered by BC PharmaCare, they will still be covered. Some of them may be covered 100% under national pharmacare. If so, coverage will transfer automatically. Some may no longer require Special Authority for coverage.

The list of medications and conditions for coverage will be published here in early February.

Until March 1, your medications will be subject to your PharmaCare plan rules, including any deductible requirements. Note that Fair PharmaCare deductibles reset on January 1.

How it works

B.C. residents must be enrolled in the Medical Services Plan of BC (MSP) to be eligible.

Coverage will be provided automatically at the pharmacy counter through the existing BC PharmaCare program. You will not need to register for coverage or submit receipts.

For coverage:

  1. Present a prescription for a covered medication and your BC Services Card at the pharmacy counter.
  2. The pharmacist processes the prescription and provides your medication. You pay nothing. The pharmacist cannot charge you for the medication or any related services, including dispensing fees.

Always ask for a prescription with the best PharmaCare coverage. You can also ask a pharmacist if they can substitute your prescription for a medication that is equally safe and effective, but that has better coverage.

Background

On March 6, 2025, the Province of B.C. and the Government of Canada signed an agreement for the implementation of national pharmacare in B.C., with the federal government providing up to $670 million in funding over three years.

Under the agreement, 100% coverage for eligible diabetes medications, including for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT), now called menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), will begin in B.C. on March 1, 2026.

Expanded coverage for certain diabetes-related devices and supplies will begin on April 1, 2026.

Since B.C. already offers universal coverage of contraceptives, the Province is putting federal funding for contraceptives towards free treatment of menopausal symptoms.

About BC PharmaCare

BC PharmaCare is a provincial program. Created in 1974, BC PharmaCare covers many pharmacy services, over 6,000 versions of medications, and over 1,000 varieties of medical devices and supplies.

All B.C. residents are encouraged to register for the Fair PharmaCare Plan, which covers thousands of medication forms. Fair PharmaCare is one of several BC PharmaCare plans. Coverage is based on income. It takes minutes to register, and coverage is for life. You do not need to register to get national pharmacare coverage.

Learn about all of the BC PharmaCare plans and register for Fair PharmaCare now.

Read the Universal Access to Contraception and Diabetes Medications and Increased Access to Diabetes Devices and Supplies, Canada-British Columbia Funding Agreement.

Stay tuned

The Ministry of Health is committed to improving its programs and the health outcomes for B.C. residents.

Watch this page for updates and details about national pharmacare coverage in B.C.