Diabetes management

PharmaCare covers many medications, devices and supplies to help B.C. residents manage diabetes.

PharmaCare also covers insulin pumps and insulin pumps supplies

As of March 1, 2026, the National Pharmacare Plan will pay the full cost of diabetes medications, including insulin, metformin, glyburide, glicazide, dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, linagliptin, pioglitazone, and saxagliptin.

On this page:

• Insulin
• Blood glucose test strips (quantity limits apply)
• Continuous glucose monitors
• Flash glucose monitors
• Needles and syringes

Insulin

Beginning March 1, 2026, many insulins will be free under the National Pharmacare Plan.

Until March 1, 2026, PharmaCare covers insulin under:

​You do not need a certificate of training from a diabetes education centre (DEC) or primary care network (PCN) to qualify for coverage.

PharmaCare covers most insulin up to the regular retail price but does not cover a dispensing fee. For information, visit Insulin, Section 5.14, PharmaCare Policy Manual.

Blood glucose test strips

PharmaCare covers blood glucose test strips if:

• Blood glucose testing has been deemed medically necessary for you, and
• You receive diabetes management training from a DEC or a designated PCN. The centre or network must fax your training certificate to Health Insurance BC (HIBC), and
• You are enrolled in one (or more) of these plans:

In some circumstances, people who are unable to monitor their glucose levels due to disabilities may have a caregiver complete this training on their behalf. This could be a family member, friend, or professional caregiver who monitors their levels for them. Note: If a family member, friend, or caregiver completes the training on behalf of a patient, a training certificate must still be faxed to HIBC.

Once you receive your training, your DEC or PCN will give you a printed voucher. The voucher will allow one-time coverage of blood glucose test strips (to a maximum of $100). Use this voucher at the pharmacy if your eligibility information is not in PharmaNet when you make your first test strip purchase.

PharmaCare covers a maximum number of blood glucose test strips for an individual each calendar year. The amount is based on the diabetes treatment they are receiving.

Find details at:

• Blood glucose test strip quantity limits
• Covered blood glucose test strips
• Annual quantity limits—blood glucose test strips
• Blood Glucose Testing, Section 5.16, PharmaCare Policy Manual

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Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and flash glucose monitors (FGMs)

PharmaCare provides coverage of a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and a flash glucose monitor (FGM) through Special Authority. Initial coverage is for 1 year. After the first year, your prescriber can request a Special Authority renewal for 5 years.

You are eligible for coverage if:

• Blood glucose testing with a CGM/FGM has been deemed medically necessary for you
• You agree to comprehensive and age-appropriate diabetes education by an interdisciplinary diabetes healthcare team and commit to regular follow-up, and
• You are covered under one (or more) of these plans:

If you are already using a CGM/FGM and would like to be covered by PharmaCare, your prescriber will still need to apply for Special Authority. You must meet the eligibility criteria.

You do not need a certificate of training from a diabetes education centre to qualify for this coverage.

CGMs, FGMs and blood glucose test strips

If using a CGM/FGM, you may occasionally need blood glucose test strips (for example, if your monitor displays an error code or if your symptoms don’t match your readings). CGM and FGM users are covered for 200 blood glucose test strips per year. Read about blood glucose test strips coverage above.

• Continuous/flash glucose monitors eligible for PharmaCare coverage

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Needles and syringes

PharmaCare covers needles and syringes if you have insulin-dependent diabetes and you are covered under:

You do not need a certificate of training from a DEC or PCN to qualify for this coverage.

For needles and syringes for insulin therapy, PharmaCare covers the regular retail price but does not cover a dispensing fee. PharmaCare does not cover safety needles.

For more information, visit Needles and Syringes, Section 5.15, PharmaCare Policy Manual

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Diabetes supplies available under Plan W

The following supplies are eligible for coverage under Plan W (First Nations Health Benefits) only:

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