PharmaCare Newsletter
Last updated on June 3, 2026
June 2026 PharmaCare Newsletter
Print off the PDF of this PharmaCare Newsletter, and post it in your pharmacy for staff to read!
June 2026 PharmaCare Newsletter (PDF)
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Q: Does vaginal prasterone offer an additional advantage on measures of sexual dysfunction compared to vaginal estrogen products accessible in the National Pharmacare formulary (Plan NP)?
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!
New Plan Z OAT benefit: Kadian® 200 mg capsule
PharmaCare has listed Kadian® 200 mg, an opioid analgesic that may be used as a slow-release oral morphine (SROM) opioid agonist treatment (OAT) for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD).
Kadian 200 mg capsules are a full benefit, both under the DIN 02559722 for analgesia and the PIN 22123405 for OUD, under the following PharmaCare plans:
- Plan B (Long-term Care)
- Plan C (Income Assistance and Family Services)
- Plan G (Psychiatric Medications)
- Plan Z (Assurance)
The 200 mg capsules could potentially help client adherence to OUD treatment by reducing pill burden.
Kadian 200 mg capsules are larger than the 100 mg capsules, so may not be appropriate for clients who have trouble swallowing.
Points to discuss with clients who may want to switch to Kadian 200 mg
- Kadian 200 mg capsules look different to other strengths of SROM. They are clear, imprinted with “K200”, and do not have colour banding
- The 200 mg capsule is large and may be hard to swallow
- The 200 mg strength may mean fewer capsules to take
Resources
- OAT PINs and DINs
- Opioid use disorder – links to OUD resources for pharmacists and other clinicians
Newly updated vaccines guide
PharmaCare has released two new resources for pharmacists.
Pharmacists and publicly funded vaccines in B.C. guide
The newly refreshed Pharmacists and publicly funded vaccines in B.C. guide is now available as a web page as well as a PDF. This guide has information about accessing and administering publicly funded vaccines to eligible B.C. residents.
Quick Reference Guide
In addition to the updated guide, a new 2-page quick reference sheet with key vaccination information and links, as well as instructions for reporting an adverse event following immunization (AEFI), is available for printing and posting: Quick Reference Guide for B.C. Pharmacists: Publicly Funded Vaccines (PDF, 176KB)
Resources
- Pharmacists and publicly funded vaccines in B.C. guide – webpage
- Pharmacists and publicly funded vaccines in B.C. guide (PDF, 338KB) – PDF
- Quick reference guide for B.C. pharmacists: Publicly Funded Vaccines (PDF, 176KB) – 2-page PDF guide
TI Letter: Appropriate hemoglobin A1c testing frequency to monitor patients with type 2 diabetes
The Therapeutics Initiative published a Therapeutics Letter examining how often hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing is needed to monitor people with type 2 diabetes. Evidence suggests that for patients with stable diabetes, testing every 6 months is as effective as testing every 3 months. More frequent testing does not improve outcomes and may contribute to unnecessary healthcare use.
Read the full letter at Therapeutics Initiative | [161] Appropriate hemoglobin A1c testing frequency to monitor patients with type 2 diabetes
Resources
New Fair PharmaCare registration handout
The PharmaCare communications team has created a new handout for PharmaCare providers to print and share with their clients. The new Get covered! (PDF, 74KB) handout outlines the two basic steps B.C. residents take to register for Fair PharmaCare.
Please print and post or share the full-size handout in your pharmacy, or print and cut the tile version to give out to clients. Both versions of the graphic are available in colour or greyscale.
Resources
- Get Covered! (PDF, 74KB) – handout (colour)
- Get Covered! (PDF, 44KB) – handout (greyscale)
- Get Covered! (PNG, 367KB) – tile (colour)
- Get Covered! (PNG, 356KB) – tile (greyscale)
Myth busting: Providing levonorgestrel-based ECs
The Ministry of Health is debunking common myths about providing emergency contraceptives (ECs) at B.C. pharmacies.
PharmaCare’s Plan NP covers the full cost of three levonorgestrel ECs under Plan NP. Contingency One, Backup Plan Onestep, and MyStep are free for B.C. residents enrolled in MSP.
Myth: Levonorgestrel ECs require a prescription in B.C.
Truth: As a Schedule 3 medication, levonorgestrel ECs do not require a prescription.
A person may “self-select” a levonorgestrel EC. The pharmacist enters the claim in the client’s PharmaNet profile for billing purposes.
Myth: Levonorgestrel ECs are only free for clients as part of a Minor Ailments and Contraception Service (MACS) evaluation.
Truth: Levonorgestrel ECs are free whether the client:
- “Self-selects” a levonorgestrel EC OR
- Presents a prescription from a health care provider OR
- Receives the EC as part of a MACS
Myth: Pharmacists must meet with the client in person before providing levonorgestrel ECs.
Truth: Pharmacists may identify a client by phone or other method, using professional judgement and following College of Pharmacists of BC regulations. Verifying a client in person is best practice, but this is not always possible. MACS consultations must be provided in person to claim the MACS fee.
Myth: Pharmacists can only provide one EC at a time.
Truth: Pharmacists can provide an EC for a client to take immediately and one or more ECs to keep for a later date if they need it.
This information is also available as an infographic. View Myth busters! Providing emergency contraceptives in B.C. (PDF, 114KB).
Resources
- Contraceptives – information for health professionals
- Minor Ailments and Contraception Service (MACS)
- Regulatory Statement 26-007: Client Identity Verification (PDF, 119KB) – College of Pharmacists of BC
- Myth busters! Providing emergency contraceptives in B.C. (PDF, 114KB)
Formulary and listing updates
Limited Coverage benefits: nintedanib (generics), guselkumab (Tremfya®), mirikizumab (Omvoh®), risankizumab (Skyrizi®), pegfilgrastim (Fulphila®, Lapelga®, Ziextenzo®)
PharmaCare has added the following limited coverage items to the PharmaCare drug list. Special Authority approval is required for coverage.
| Drug name | nintedanib (generics) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | May 7, 2026 | ||
| Indication |
|
||
| DINs | Refer to the Low Cost Alternative (LCA) and Reference Drug Program (RDP) Data Files for eligible DINs. | ||
| Special notes | As of June 6, 2026, brand name nintedanib (Ofev®) will become a partial PharmaCare benefit. Clients wanting to transition to a generic brand of nintedanib may enrol in a patient support program. Contact information is below. PharmaCare coverage is not affected by participation in a patient support program (participation is voluntary). JAMPCare Phone: 1-888-202-8809 Fax: 1-888-558-5518 Email: Help@JAMPCare-Support.ca AuroCare Phone: 1-877-230-5612 Email: Support@AuroCare.ca Website: AuroCare |
||
| Drug name | guselkumab (Tremfya®) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | May 27, 2026 | ||
| Indication |
|
||
| DINs | 02487314 02469758 02566877 02559153 02559145 |
Strength & form | 100 mg/mL auto-injector (100 mg) 100 mg/mL pre-filled syringe (100 mg) 100 mg/mL pre-filled pen (100 mg) 10 mg/mL vial (200 mg) 100 mg/mL pre-filled pen (200 mg) |
| Drug name | mirikizumab (Omvoh®) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | May 27, 2026 | ||
| Indication | For the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease. | ||
| DINs | 02539861 02559242 02559234 |
Strength & form | 300 mg/15 mL vial for infusion 100 mg/mL (100 mg/mL and 200 mg/2 mL SC pre-filled pen carton 100 mg/mL (100 mg/mL and 200 mg/2 mL SC pre-filled syringe carton |
| Drug name | risankizumab (Skyrizi®) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | May 27, 2026 | ||
| Indication | For the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis. | ||
| DINs | 02532107 02532093 02552507 |
Strength & form | 600 mg/10 mL vial 360 mg/2.4 mL pre-filled cartridge with on-body injector 180 mg/1.2 mL pre-filled cartridge with on-body injector |
| Drug name | pegfilgrastim (Fulphila®, Lapelga®, Ziextenzo®) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | May 27, 2026 | ||
| Indication | For the treatment of patients with non-myeloid malignancies to decrease the incidence of infection, as manifested by febrile neutropenia. | ||
| DINs | 02484153 (Fulphila) 02474565 (Lapelga) 02497395 (Ziextenzo) |
Strength & form | 6 mg/0.6 mL pre-filled syringe |
Regular benefits: morphine sulfate (Kadian®)
PharmaCare has decided to list the following drug as a regular benefit for the noted indications.
| Drug name | morphine sulfate (Kadian®) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | May 7, 2026 | |||
| Indication | For the management of pain in adults severe enough to require daily, continuous, long-term opioid treatment, and that is opioid-responsive; and for which alternative options are inadequate. | |||
| DIN | 02559722 | Strength & form | 200 mg ER capsule | |
| Notes | Use PIN 22123405 in PharmaNet when dispensing as part of OAT. Kadian® is a PharmaCare Plan Z benefit when prescribed as OAT. Read more in Plan Z OAT benefit: Kadian® 200 mg capsule | |||
Non-benefits: teplizumab (Tzield®), levothyroxine sodium for injection
PharmaCare has decided not to cover the following drugs for the noted indications.
| Drug name | teplizumab (Tzield®) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | May 8, 2026 | ||
| Indication | To delay the onset of stage 3 type 1 diabetes (T1D) in adult and pediatric patients 8 years of age and older with stage 2 T1D. | ||
| DIN | 02557347 | Strength & form | 2 mg/2 mL injection for intravenous infusion |
| Drug name | levothyroxine sodium for injection | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | May 28, 2026 | ||
| Indication | Treatment of overt hypothyroidism of any etiology when parenteral use is clinically warranted. | ||
| DIN | 02245948 | Strength & form | 500 microgram vial for intravenous or intramuscular injection |
| Special notes | Modification of coverage from regular benefit to non-benefit. | ||
EDRD benefits: crovalimab (Piasky®)
PharmaCare has initiated funding of the following drug through the Expensive Drugs for Rare Diseases (EDRD) process.
| Drug name | crovalimab (Piasky®) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | June 3, 2026 | ||
| Indication | Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) | ||
| DIN | 02558262 | Strength & form | 340 mg/2 mL solution for subcutaneous injection/intravenous infusion |
Price reduction: phenobarbital (Phenobarb)
Effective July 3, 2026, the prices of the following products will be reduced. Prices include 8% markup.
| Drug name | Phenobarb | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date effective | July 3, 2026 | ||||
| DIN | Strength & form | Current price per syringe / vial | New price per syringe / vial | ||
| 00178799 | 15 mg tablet | $0.1933 | $0.0896 | ||
| 00178802 | 30 mg tablet | $0.2302 | $0.1066 | ||
| 00178810 | 60 mg tablet | $0.3117 | $0.1445 | ||
| 00178829 | 100 mg tablet | $0.4410 | $0.1977 | ||
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 | ||
| glecaprevir and pibrentasvir (Maviret®) | Treatment of acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in adults and pediatric patients 3 years of age and older and weighing at least 12 kg. | May 27 to June 23 at 11:59 pm | ||
| Tirzepatide (Zepbound®) | Chronic weight management in adults with an initial body mass index (BMI) of equal to or greater than 27 kg/m2 and prediabetes. | May 27 to June 23 at 11:59 pm | ||
| Pegzilarginase (TBC) | Treatment of arginase 1 deficiency (ARG1-D), also known as hyperargininemia, in adults, adolescents and children aged 2 years and older. | May 27 to June 23 at 11:59 pm | ||
| Selumetinib (Koselugo™) | For the treatment of adult patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) who have symptomatic, inoperable plexiform neurofibromas (PN). | May 27 to June 23 at 11:59 pm | ||
May 27 Special Release: BC PharmaCare Medication Administration Program (MAP)
BC PharmaCare is launching the temporary Medication Administration Program (MAP), which pays approved pharmacies a service fee when they support approved B.C. residents in their homes with complex medication tasks. The program will launch on July 15, 2026, and end in January 2027.
Pharmacies must apply between Friday, May 29, and Thursday, June 4, to participate.
Applications received after 11:59 pm, June 4, will not be considered.
Learn more and download the application at Medication Administration Program (MAP)
Services must be provided by a:
- B.C. licensed healthcare professional acting within their regulated scope of practice, or
- Care aide registered* with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry and acting within their trained role as outlined in the Registry’s Health Care Assistant Care Activities Chart (PDF, 270KB)
*To confirm the registration status of a care aide, pharmacies may ask the care aide to provide a registration confirmation letter. They can download this letter by logging into their account on the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry and clicking on "Print Registration Confirmation". The auto-generated letter will contain the HCA's registration status and number. Only HCAs with active registration in good standing can access the registration confirmation letter.
Services must include:
- Administration of medications, including injection-based therapies at the patient’s home, or for those who do not have a permanent address, their temporary place of stay
Services may include:
- Clinical assessment and monitoring, including monitoring of vital signs, and other physical assessment if necessary for therapy adjustments
- Coordinating care with other healthcare providers such as prescribers, mental health teams, and case managers, if necessary or requested by the client
Clients must be enrolled in MSP and meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Significant physical, functional, or cognitive disabilities or barriers preventing them from safely self‑administering injection‑based therapies such as insulin or low-molecular weight heparins. Pharmacies should review PharmaCare Policy Manual, Section 8.10: Pharmacist Administration of Drugs and Vaccines
- Referred by a health authority–based licensed healthcare professional, and on at least one medication requiring daily monitoring and dose adjustment
- Enrolled through program affiliations or contractual agreements with health authorities or non-profit health service delivery organizations that existed on or before June 1, 2026, serving older adults (50+) or individuals requiring substance use care
- Actively followed by community mental health teams and require supervised medication administration and adherence monitoring to support ongoing psychiatric stability
Next steps
If an application is approved, PharmaCare will follow-up with information about how to enrol clients. Only approved pharmacies will be contacted.
Once a pharmacy and its client roster are approved, pharmacies will enter the MAP PIN to claim service(s) – one claim per client per day on which services are provided. The MAP fee is $8.
Pharmacies will be required to keep a log of services provided. A log template will be made available.
[Article updated on June 3, 2026]
May 27 Special Release: PA Witness Fee payments
The first Prescribed Alternatives Witness Fee payment will be on June 1, 2026, for April 2026 claims, and monthly thereafter, i.e., a second payment on July 7 for May 2026 claims.
A retro payment will be made during the summer for claims made between June 18, 2025, and March 31, 2026.
Resources
May 27 Special Release: Price changes for lancets and urine ketone strips
PharmaCare has changed the maximum amount it will reimburse for lancets and urine ketone strips, effective May 8, 2026.
The maximum price for lancets increased from $0.0756 per unit to $0.1079 per unit, after PharmaCare received feedback from pharmacies that the cost of some lancets was higher than the reimbursement amount.
PharmaCare has adjusted the maximum price for urine ketone strips to align with the pricing model used for blood ketone strips and alcohol wipes/pads. The new reimbursement amount is $0.1425 per unit. Urine ketone strips were previously covered at a different price due to administrative error. The new price is effective for claims submitted on or after May 8, 2026.
| PIN | Product | Maximum price (includes 8% markup) | ||
| 11120004 | Lancets | $0.1079 | ||
| 11120003 | Urine ketone strips | $0.1425 | ||
| 11120002 | Blood ketone strips | $2.1060 | ||
| 11120001 | Alcohol wipes/pads | $0.0383 | ||
Resources
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
Rapid-acting insulin (insulin aspart); cyclophosphamide vial for injection; oseltamivir 6 mg/mL suspension; bicillin L-A for intramuscular injection; rifabutin capsules; lomustine capsules; progesterone USP 50 mg/mL injection.
Visit Drug shortages for full list and details.