PharmaCare Newsletter
Last updated on October 7, 2026
October 2026 PharmaCare Newsletter
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2026 flu season vaccination campaign
B.C.’s 2026-27 flu vaccination campaign starts on October 13, 2026.
The following publicly funded flu vaccines are available this year:
- Fluzone (trivalent) multi-dose vial – DIN 02365936
- Fluzone (trivalent) pre-filled syringe – DIN 02365707
- Fluviral (trivalent) – DIN 02420686
- FluMist (trivalent) nasal spray – DIN 02352621
- Fluad (trivalent) – DIN 02362384
The following flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available for private purchase. Use the PIN when recording a claim for a privately purchased vaccine in PharmaNet:
- Flumist (trivalent) nasal spray – PIN 66128578
- Fluzone (trivalent) (pre-filled syringe) – PIN 66128576
- Fluzone (trivalent) multi-dose vial – PIN 66128577
- Fluad (trivalent) – PIN 66124872
- Spikevax – PIN 66128581
- Comirnaty – PIN 66128582
- Nuvaxovid – PIN 66128645
Visit Publicly funded vaccines for all publicly funded vaccines and related procedures.
Resources
- Publicly funded vaccines
- Pharmacists and publicly funded vaccines in B.C. guide
- Quick Reference Guide for B.C. Pharmacists: Publicly Funded Vaccines (PDF, 110KB) (2-page guide)
- BCCDC Immunization Manual
- PharmaCare Policy Manual, Section 8.10: Pharmacist Administration of Drugs and Vaccines
Publicly funded RSV vaccine
The Province has launched a new time-limited publicly funded respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunization program. As of September 22, 2026, mResvia® is free for B.C. residents aged:
- 75+ (non-Indigenous)
- 60+ (Indigenous)
Visit Publicly funded vaccines for all publicly funded vaccines and related procedures.
To claim the vaccine administration fee in PharmaNet, enter PIN 66128644.
For private supply, pharmacies can claim the Drug administration fee.
The new RSV program runs from 2026-27 to 2028-29.
Clients can contact the call centre at 1-833-838-2323 to find out where they can get immunized.
Resources
- Publicly funded vaccines
- Pharmacists and publicly funded vaccines in B.C. guide
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine | HealthLink BC
- BCCDC Immunization Manual
- Drug administration fee
Retroactive PA witnessing fees paid October 6
As mentioned in the September 2026 PharmaCare Newsletter (PDF, 481KB), the payment for pharmacies who submitted claims for the prescribed alternatives (PA) witnessing fee for PA doses witnessed from June 18, 2025, to March 31, 2026, received retroactive payment for these claims on October 6, 2026.
Pharmacies using Kroll and WinRx must upgrade software this fall for PPM
This fall, B.C. pharmacies using TELUS Kroll or Applied Robotics WinRx software to access PharmaNet must upgrade to versions that are compatible with Provincial Prescription Management (PPM). Pharmacies will be contacted by their software support team to begin the upgrade process.
Pharmacies using HealthWatch and Propel Rx software have already upgraded to PPM-compatible versions. All community pharmacies in B.C. are expected to have PPM-compatible software by early 2027.
Upgrading to PPM-compatible software is mandatory for B.C. pharmacies. Once all pharmacies have upgraded, the province’s prescribers can begin PPM onboarding.
PPM
PPM is a Ministry of Health initiative that modernizes PharmaNet by introducing electronic prescription authorizations (eRx) to create a more connected and client-centered prescription management system.
PPM improves client access to their medications. Prescriptions can be retrieved from PharmaNet at any pharmacy in the province, ensuring continuity of care during unexpected pharmacy closures. By encouraging digital over paper-based processes, PPM reduces administrative burden.
New pharmacy OAT training program launches October 15
The Pharmacy Opioid Agonist Treatment (P-OAT) Training Program from the University of British Columbia’s Continuing Pharmacy Professional Development (UBC CPPD) will launch on October 15, 2026.
The new 17-hour training program is free, accredited by the Canadian Council on Continuing Education in Pharmacy (CCCEP), and builds on the existing BC Pharmacy Association (BCPhA) Opioid Agonist Treatment Compliance and Management Program for Pharmacy (OAT-CAMPP) curriculum. The BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU) has worked to update educational content to include additional clinical guidance and evidence-informed approaches to care, and an Indigenous Peoples module.
The Ministry of Health, the College of Pharmacists of BC (CPBC), and UBC CPPD have worked together to implement the new training program. All pharmacists who need to complete OAT training requirements and pharmacists interested in expanding their knowledge of OAT are encouraged to register for the new P-OAT program when registration opens on October 15.
CPBC will be sharing further guidance about regulatory requirements and transition timelines.
To support continued access to OAT education during the transition, the BCPhA OAT-CAMPP program will be available until December 2026. The Ministry of Health is grateful to BCPhA for delivering high-quality OAT training to more than 6,600 pharmacy professionals since 2018 and for its ongoing contribution to improving care for people receiving OAT in B.C.
Resources
- UBC CPPD Programs
- College of Pharmacists of BC
- Opioid Agonist Treatment Compliance and Management Program for Pharmacy (OAT-CAMPP) (BCPhA)
Reminder: Dispensing to clients with NIHB coverage
Pharmacists are encouraged to verify that Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) coverage information for Inuit and First Nations clients is recorded correctly in their pharmacy’s local software system and be sure to submit claims using the NIHB billing process. Inuit living in B.C. have reported difficulties getting NIHB coverage at the pharmacy counter.
Inuit and First Nations people who receive medication coverage through NIHB are not covered by PharmaCare Plan W. Their PHN will be recorded in the Patient Coordination of Benefits (PATCOB) table in PharmaNet.
When you enter prescriptions for a client with active NIHB coverage, PharmaNet:
- Returns an E1 – Host Processing Error response, showing the PharmaCare paid amount as $0
- Records the dispense in the client’s medication history (MEDHIST)
If you encounter issues when entering a prescription for a client covered by NIHB, or the client’s PHN is not in the PATCOB table, contact the PharmaCare Help Desk.
Visit PharmaCare Policy Manual, Section 3.4: Patients – Other Payers for more details on how to serve clients with federal coverage.
Resources
- PharmaCare Policy Manual, Section 11.1: PharmaCare Help Desk and Medical Practitioner Line
- PharmaCare Policy Manual, Section 3.4: Patients – Other Payers
- Non-Insured Health Benefits program for First Nations and Inuit: Pharmacy benefits (Canada.ca)
Info sessions: Federal Controlled Substances Regulations
The federal Controlled Substances Regulations came into force on October 1, 2026, and replaced the Narcotic Control Regulations; Parts G and J of the Food and Drug Regulations; and the Benzodiazepine and Other Targeted Substances Regulations.
Health Canada’s Controlled Substances Program will be providing information sessions throughout October on the changes that impact those working in community pharmacies, specifically pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy managers.
Note that these information sessions are focused specifically on the community pharmacy setting and will not address hospital or other specialized pharmacy settings at this time.
Visit the College of Pharmacists of BC web page New Controlled Substances Regulations in effect October 1, 2026 to register for an information session and to learn more about how the changes affect B.C. pharmacy professionals.
Resources
- Controlled Substances Regulations: SOR/2025-242 (Health Canada)
- New Controlled Substances Regulations in effect October 1, 2026 (College of Pharmacists of BC)
New appendix lists PharmaCare policy changes by month
The PharmaCare communications team has created a new appendix for the policy manual: Appendix D—Policy Manual change log.
The change log lists important policy changes. Updates are organized chronologically by month. The change log is updated as new PharmaCare policy changes are published in the PharmaCare Newsletter. The changes listed in the change log are summaries of previous updates to the Policy Manual; they are not new.
PharmaCare providers are reminded that they are required to keep up with policy updates. The best way to do this is to subscribe to and read the PharmaCare Newsletter.
Resources
PharmaCare Spotlight: Publicly funded vaccines
Resources
Formulary and listing updates
Special Authority requests can be submitted online through SA eForms. It’s simple and quick!
Learn more or log in
Limited coverage benefits
PharmaCare has added the following limited coverage items to the PharmaCare drug list. Special Authority (SA) approval is required for coverage.
| Drug name | glecaprevir and pibrentasvir (Maviret) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | October 7, 2026 | ||
| Indication | Acute and chronic HCV infection in adults and pediatric patients 3 years of age and older | ||
| PINs | 02467550 02522470 |
Strength & form | 100 mg/40 mg tablet 50 mg/20 mg granules per sachet |
| Plan coverage | SA approval required: Fair PharmaCare, Plan B, Plan C, Plan F and Plan W | ||
| Notes | This listing expands PharmaCare coverage of Maviret to include the new indication of acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Maviret is already covered for chronic HCV infection as a limited coverage benefit | ||
Regular benefits
PharmaCare has added the following items to its formulary as regular benefits.
Non-benefits
PharmaCare has decided not to cover the following drug for the noted indication.
| Drug name | pasireotide (Signifor® LAR®) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | September 23, 2026 | ||
| Indication | For the treatment of adult patients with acromegaly for whom surgery is not an option or has not been curative | ||
| DINs | 02437260 02437279 |
Strength & form | 40 mg vial for intramuscular injection 60 mg vial for intramuscular injection |
Price reductions
Effective November 6, 2026, the prices for the following products will be reduced. Prices include 8% markup.
| Drug name | Jubbonti | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | November 6, 2026 | ||
| DIN | Strength & form | Current price per unit | Reduced price per unit |
| 02545411 | 60 mg/mL pre-filled syringe | $195.5556 | $188.4492 |
| Drug name | Osenvelt | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | November 6, 2026 | ||
| DIN | Strength & form | Current price per unit | Reduced price per unit |
| 02560895 | 120 mg/1.7 mL vial | $336.9600 | $313.3728 |
| Drug name | Stoboclo | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | November 6, 2026 | ||
| DIN | Strength & form | Current price per unit | Reduced price per unit |
| 02560917 | 60 mg/mL pre-filled syringe | $210.2760 | $188.4492 |
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 | Survey link and dates | ||
| etanercept, secukinumab, ixekizumab, and ustekinumab | Ministry-initiated review of biologics for pediatric plaque psoriasis | biologics for pediatric plaque psoriasis October 1 to October 27 at 11:59 pm |
||
| sepiapterin (Sephience™) | Hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) in patients 1 month of age and older with sepiapterin-responsive phenylketonuria (PKU) | sepiapterin (Sephience™) October 1 to October 27 at 11:59 pm |
||
| nerandomilast (TBC) IPF | For idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in adults | nerandomilast (TBC) IPF October 1 to October 27 at 11:59 pm |
||
| nerandomilast (TBC) PPF | For progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF) in adults | nerandomilast (TBC) PPF October 1 to October 27 at 11:59 pm |
||
| orforglipron (TBC) | To reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in adults | orforglipron (TBC) October 1 to October 27 at 11:59 pm |
||
| ocrelizumab (Ocrevus®) | Relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and early primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) in adults | ocrelizumab (Ocrevus®) October 1 to October 27 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.
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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
Quizartinib tablets; proton pump inhibitors (pantoprazole magnesium and rabeprazole sodium); famotidine vial for injection; cyclophosphamide vial for injection; oseltamivir 6 mg/mL suspension; bicillin L-A for intramuscular injection.
Visit Drug shortages for full list and details.