Alcohol wipes, lancets, ketone strips, needles and syringes

This page describes BC PharmaCare coverage for alcohol wipes, lancets, blood and urine ketone strips, needles and syringes for diabetes management.

• What to know
• Needles and syringes
• Alcohol wipes, lancets, blood and urine ketone strips
  • If you are unable to complete diabetes management training
  • Annual quantity limits

What to know

PharmaCare covers alcohol wipes, lancets, blood and urine ketone strips, needles and syringes for diabetic use under these plans:

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• Plan C (Income Assistance and Family Services)
• Plan F (At Home Program)
• Plan W (First Nations Health Benefits)

Additional coverage of alcohol swabs, needles/syringes and adhesive wipes for non-diabetic use is available under Plan W.

Needles and syringes

PharmaCare covers needles and syringes if you have insulin-dependent diabetes.

You do not need a certificate of training from a diabetes education centre of primary care network 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.

There are no annual quantity limits for needles and syringes.

Alcohol wipes, lancets, blood and urine ketone strips

For coverage of alcohol wipes, lancets, blood and urine ketone strips, you must receive diabetes management training from a diabetes education centre or designated PCN. The centre or network must fax your training certificate to Health Insurance BC (HIBC)

If you are unable to complete diabetes management training

In some circumstances, people who are unable to monitor their glucose levels due to disabilities may have a caregiver complete the diabetes management training on their behalf. This could be a family member, friend, or professional caregiver who monitors their levels for them.

If a family member, friend, or caregiver completes the training on behalf of a patient, a training certificate must still be faxed to HIBC. 

Annual quantity limits for alcohol wipes, lancets, blood and urine ketone strips

PharmaCare covers a maximum amount of alcohol wipes, lancets, and blood and urine ketone strips for an individual each calendar year. The amount is based on the diabetes treatment they are receiving.