PharmaCare Newsletter

Last updated on September 4, 2025

September 2025 PharmaCare Newsletter

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Q: Do guidelines recommend initiating menopause hormone therapy (MHT) for the prevention or treatment of osteoporosis?

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!

PPMAC two-year data overview and survey results

PPMAC two-year data

An overview of the first two years of data (June 1, 2023 to May 31, 2025) for pharmacists prescribing for minor ailments and contraception (PPMAC) is now available. Visit Pharmacists Prescribing for Minor Ailments and Contraception (PPMAC) two-year overview (PDF, 367KB).

B.C. pharmacists have been able to prescribe for minor ailments and contraception since June 1, 2023. The Minor Ailments and Contraception Service (MACS) is available to B.C. residents at no cost. Pharmacists can claim $20 for each eligible MACS. 

PPMAC client survey

As part of the PPMAC evaluation, BC Stats conducted a client survey. Refer to 2024 Minor Ailments and Contraception Services (MACS) Survey (PDF, 597KB) and 2024 Minor Ailments and Contraception Services (MACS) Survey infographic (PDF, 837KB) for the survey results. 

The survey findings provide important insights into client experiences and satisfaction with the service.

Resources

Streamlining registration for pharmacists ordering lab tests

Since August 30, 2024, pharmacists in B.C. are authorized to order certain laboratory tests for the purpose of medication management. Since then, over 650 pharmacists have obtained a Medical Services Plan (MSP) practitioner number, more than 250 pharmacists have registered with laboratory operators in B.C., and more than 3,300 tests have been ordered by pharmacists. 

In July 2025, the Ministry of Health collaborated with the Provincial Laboratory Medicine Services (PLMS) to streamline how pharmacists register with laboratory operators. Improvements were based on feedback from laboratory operators and pharmacists. PLMS now processes the registration forms, validates and shares registration details with laboratory operators, and oversees onboarding communications. If you have a registration-related question, please contact PLMS at pracbenefitscheds@phsa.ca.

For questions about the laboratory test referrals project, please contact the Ministry of Health's Laboratory Services team at labservices@gov.bc.ca.

This work reflects the province's commitment to collaborative health care. The recently streamlined registration process supports pharmacists in delivering medication management services in B.C. For more information, please refer to Pharmacists ordering lab tests.

Resources

Updates to adult eligibility for the measles vaccine

Due to the recent resurgence of measles cases in B.C. and other parts of Canada, health providers are receiving growing interest in and requests for measles vaccinations, including from groups who have presumed immunity. 

While there are currently no issues with vaccine supply, the Province is managing the situation carefully to prevent any shortage in the future. To that end, the Province has updated the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine criteria in the BC Immunization Manual (PDF, 190KB) for adults born before 1970, to prioritize the vaccine for those who need it the most. 

Effective August 25, 2025, healthy people born before 1970 are considered immune to measles and do not need vaccination. Immunity studies show that healthy adults born before 1970 are well-protected against measles due to previous infection when measles was very common, or from immunization when the vaccine became available during the 1960s. The Canadian Immunization Guide indicates this group has presumed immunity to measles. 

There is no change to the eligibility for other adult populations:

  • Adults born after 1970 who have no received two doses of measles-containing vaccine remain eligible for the MMR vaccine under the provincial immunization program
  • Health care workers born before 1957 are considered immune but continue to be eligible if indicated, to protect them and patients who have a higher risk of infection

The Province is monitoring the vaccine supply closely with B.C.'s public health and immunization experts; the Ministry will keep you informed of any update. 

For more information on the measles situation in B.C. including exposure locations, visit the BC Centre for Disease Control's Measles web page.

If your clients have questions about the measles vaccine and symptoms, they can visit HealthLink BC's Understanding measles web page to learn more.

 

To claim the pharmacist vaccination fee of $12.10 for administering a measles vaccine, pharmacists enter these PINs in PharmaNet:
Vaccine product group Vaccine product PIN
Measles, mumps, rubella MMR-II™ 66124781
Priorix™ 66124834
Measles, mumps, rubella and varicella virus Proquad® 66128068
Priorix-Tetra 66128069
Refer to Publicly funded vaccines for the full list of publicly funded vaccine PINs.

Resources

BCCDC counterfeit pills infographic

The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is encouraging pharmacies to share their infographic Fake Pills Are Increasing in BC (PDF, 192KB) with their clients, where appropriate. 

Counterfeit pills circulating in B.C. have been found to contain potent opioids and other harmful substances that can cause drug poisoning. They can appear exactly like prescribed medications. 

Fake pills sold on the streets and online commonly appear as oxycodone, alprazolam (Xanax), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), Percocet, or amphetamine (Adderall). 

BCCDC asks pharmacies to consider doing the following, if appropriate for their clients:

  • Display the infographic
  • Offer naloxone kits and training
  • Referring clients to their clinicians or to helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca to learn about recovery supports
  • Provide safer substance use education
  • Advise people the the safest option is to avoid using pills that are not prescribed to them

People who are at risk of consuming counterfeit pills are encouraged to use drug-checking services, carry a naloxone kit, and only use with someone who has naloxone and is trained to use it. They can also find support through:

Resources

Share your experience as a pharmacist providing care for people with OUD

If you provide care for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) or have ideas about pharmacists providing care, the Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes wants to hear from you!

A group of researchers from the Centre for Advancing Health Outcomes at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver is conducting a study titled Exploring pharmacists' perspectives on improving care for people with opioid use disorder. The project is funded by the Ministry of Health Research Seed Grant Program.

The researchers' goal is to identify the barriers and facilitators to pharmacists providing OUD care. The information gathered will be used to help develop ideas to help pharmacists and address the barriers to providing OUD care. 

Participation in the study involves a one-hour interview over Zoom. Participants will be compensated $30 for their time. 

Please contact pharmacistoudcare@advancinghealth.ubc.ca with any questions about the study.

If you are interested in participating, visit Exploring pharmacists' perspectives to inform recommendations on barriers and facilitators for engaging people with opioid use disorder in care to complete an eligibility survey. Eligible participants will be contacted with study details, procedures, and a consent form. 

Resources

Survey: Nicotine cessation support in B.C.

The Ministry of Health Research Seed Grant Program is seeking input from community pharmacists providing non-pharmacologic nicotine cessation support to clients in B.C.

Smoking cessation is part of the Minor Ailments and Contraception Services (MACS) provided by B.C. community pharmacists. The goal of the survey is to determine how community pharmacists in B.C. deliver non-pharmacologic nicotine cessation support to individuals who smoke and/or vape and related barriers and facilitators to providing this service. 

Visit Beyond Prescriptions: The Role of Community Pharmacists in Providing Non-Pharmacologic Nicotine Cessation Support to British Columbians to complete the survey. The survey should take around 15 minutes to complete, and participants can enter a draw for a gift card. 

Resources

Quick guide: How to search for a PHN in PharmaNet

The PharmaCare communications team has created a new quick reference guide to searching for a PHN (Personal Health Number) in PharmaNet. Visit How to search for a PHN in PharmaNet (PDF, 79KB) to view or download the guide. 

A client's PHN is required to process a prescription in PharmaNet. Every reasonable effort must be taken to obtain a client's PHN. Learn more about PHNs in the PharmaCare Policy Manual, Section 3.3: Patients – Personal Health Numbers. 

Resources

RAT kit payment update

Since the last newsletter, PharmaCare has paid pharmacies for COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT) kit distribution as follows:

Payment month Payment date
June 2025 September 2, 2025

RAT kit distribution fee program ends

As announced in the May 2025 and June 2025 PharmaCare Newsletters, PharmaCare has ended the RAT kit distribution fee program. The last day to submit claims for the PharmaCare RAT kit distribution fee was June 30, 2025.

Pharmacies are encouraged to order RAT kits from distributors, available free of charge until supplies run out. Pharmacy distributors have stockpiled kits to be available to pharmacies and stores until the supply is exhausted or expired (i.e., late 2026). 

Resources

Policy Spotlight: Cystic Fibrosis (Plan D)

Policy Spotlight: Cystic fibrosis (Plan D). People registered with a provincial cystic fibrosis clinic and for Plan D are eligible for items in the cystic fibrosis formulary. This includes full coverage of eligible digestive enzymes under Plan D, and coverage of certain vitamins, nutritional supplements and hypertonic saline solutions under their other plan (Fair PharmaCare, Plan C, Plan F or Plan W). Items in the cystic fibrosis formulary are eligible for coverage only if they are purchased at a pharmacy counter. Learn more about Plan D in the PharmaCare Policy Manual, Section 7.5: Cystic Fibrosis (Plan D).

Resources

 

Formulary and listing updates

Limited coverage benefits: secukinumab (Cosentyx®), Freestyle Libre 3 Plus Flash Glucose Monitor

PharmaCare has added the following limited coverage items to the PharmaCare drug list. Special Authority approval is required for coverage.

Drug name secukinumab (Cosentyx®)
Date effective     August 13, 2025
Indication For the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (acne inversa) who have responded inadequately to conventional systemic hidradenitis suppurativa therapy
DINs 02438070
0254772		 Strength & form 150 mg/mL pre-filled pen (SensoReady pen)
150 mg/mL pre-filled syringe
Drug name Freestyle Libre 3 Plus Flash Glucose Monitor
Date effective     August 20, 2025
Indication For the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) that requires multiple daily injections of insulin or insulin pump therapy as part of intensive insulin therapy for patients 2 years of age or older
PINs 43120011
43120012		 Strength & form FreeStyle® Libre 3 plus sensor
FreeStyle® Libre 3 plus reader

Regular benefit: Edoxaban (generics)

Effective September 4, 2025, generic edoxaban for atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a regular PharmaCare benefit. 

Only the generic version of the drug will become a regular benefit. The brand product, Lixiana, which some clients have exceptional PharmaCare coverage for, will remain a non-benefit.

There is a one-month washout period for pharmacies to use up their supply of Lixiana. Clients with PharmaCare approval for coverage of Lixiana need to switch to a generic formulation to maintain their coverage. Pharmacists can adapt prescriptions to switch clients to the generic drug.

Drug name edoxaban (generics)
Date effective     September 4, 2025
Indication
  • For the prevention of stroke and systemic embolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation, in whom anticoagulation is appropriate
  • For the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) (deep vein thrombosis [DVT], pulmonary embolism [PE]) and the prevention of recurrent DVT and PE
DINs 02554208
02553414
02554216
02553422
02557282
02554224
02553430
02557290		 Strength & form Teva-edoxaban 15 mg tablet
Sandoz edoxaban 15 mg tablet
Teva-edoxaban 30 mg tablet
Sandoz edoxaban 30 mg tablet
Jamp edoxaban 30 mg tablet
Teva-edoxaban 60 mg tablet
Sandoz edoxaban 60 mg tablet
Jamp edoxaban 60 mg tablet

EDRD coverage: setmelanotide (Imcivree®)

Effective July 29, 2025, the Ministry of Health initiated funding of setmelanotide (Imcivree®) through PharmaCare's Exceptional funding of EDRDs process.

Clinicians may apply for funding for eligible patients with obesity due to Bardet-Biedl syndrome. Setmelanotide is distributed through Dex Wholesale.

Initial applications will be approved for up to 26 weeks. The prescribing physician is responsible for requesting continued Ministry funding annually thereafter.

Drug name setmelanotide (Imcivree®)
Date effective     July 29, 2025
Indication

For weight management in adult and pediatric patients six years of age and older with obesity due to Bardet-Biedl syndrome ​
DIN 02537745 Strength & form 10 mg/mL solution for subcutaneous injection in 1 mL multi-dose vial

Price reduction: etanercept (Brenzys®)

Effective October 3, the prices for the following products will be reduced. 

Prices include 8% markup.

Drug name etanercept (Brenzys®) Strength & form Current price per unit ($) Reduced price per unit ($)
Date effective     October 3, 2025
DINs

02455331

 50 mg/mL auto-injector 260.2800 255.0744
02455323 50 mg/mL pre-filled syringe 260.2800 255.0744

Drug shortages

PharmaCare has announced, updated, or indicated the resolution of the following drug shortages. Subscribe to the Drug shortages web page to be notified of drug shortage advisories and resolutions.

New shortage: Spironolactone tablets

Shortage Spironolactone 25 mg and 100 mg tablets (multiple brands)
Mitigation Refer to Spironolactone shortage (PDF, 285KB) for guidance on using alternative therapies. Consider alternative anti-hypertensives for management of simple hypertension
Reason     Teva and Mint are reporting shortages because of manufacturing disruptions. Pfizer is reporting a shortage because of increased demand
Expected resolution

Resupplies of 25 mg tablets were received in August but were not enough to fulfill demand. Resupply of 100 mg tablets was expected in August. Continued resupplies are expected in fall and supply should stabilize in October
Resources

Notice: Spironolactone in short supply - Canada.ca

Shortage update: Peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys®)

The Peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys®) shortage has been updated. Irish-labelled  Peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys) 180 mcg/0.5 mL pre-filled syringe (PIN 09858366) is now authorized by Health Canada to mitigate this shortage. 

Shortage Peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys®) 180 mcg/0.5 mL pre-filled syringe, DIN 02248077
Mitigation
  • US-labelled ropeginterferon alfa-2b (BESREMi®) 500 mcg/mL pre-filled syringe, PIN 09858357
  • Irish-labelled Peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys) 180 mcg/0.5mL pre-filled syringe, PIN 09858366
BESREMi and Pegasys are not eligible PharmaCare benefits. Direct cancer patients with BESREMi or Pegasys prescriptions to a B.C. cancer centre or community oncology network.
Ordering Irish-labelled Pegasys can be ordered through various distributors. BESREMi in B.C. is ordered direct from Forus Therapeutics Inc. Email FORUS-CSR@innomar-strategies.com or call 1-866-542-7500
Reason     Peginterferon is in shortage due to an increase in demand and change in manufacturing site. Supply continues to be received but not in sufficient quantities. Restrictions on ordering are in place.
Expected resolution

Early 2026
Resources

Resolved shortage: Fluorouracil 5% topical cream (Efudex®)

As of August 20, 2025, the fluorouracil 5% topical cream (Efudex®) shortage is resolved. During the shortage, Tolak® (fluorouracil 4% topical cream), DIN 2485346, was temporarily added as a regular PharmaCare benefit. Tolak is indicated for the treatment of actinic keratosis.

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
vanzacaftor, tezacaftor, deutivacaftor (Alyftrek™) Bulevirtide (Hepcludex®) The treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) in people aged 6 years and older who have at least one F508del mutation or another responsive mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene August 27 to September 23 at 11:59 pm
Delgocitinib (TBC) For the treatment of moderate to severe chronic hand eczema (CHE), including the relief of pain and pruritus (itching), in adults August 27 to September 23 at 11:59 pm

Did you know? Hospital Access to PharmaNet (HAP) was launched in 2007. HAP allows authorized physicians and pharmacists to request and receive up-to-date records of medications dispensed to a patient at each registered hospital or designated mental health facility. Read PharmaCare Trends 2023-24 for more PharmaCare facts.

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About the PharmaCare Newsletter

The PharmaCareNewsletter 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.

Welcome

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.

Cultural safety and humility

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.  

Drug shortages

Active advisories 

teva-emtec-30; ipratropium nebules; disopyramide capsules; olanzapine for injection; praziquantel (Biltricide); fluorouracil 5% cream (Efudex®); peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys®​) injection; calcitrol injection.

Visit Drug shortages for full list and details.