What is BC's National PharmaCare plan?

On March 6, 2025, the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada signed a landmark agreement to bring national PharmaCare to BC. The deal commits up to $670 million over three years to provide universal access to diabetes medications, devices, and supplies for BC residents.

The result is Plan NP, which began on March 1, 2026, providing 100% coverage for eligible diabetes medications for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Because BC already provides universal coverage of prescription contraceptives, the province is directing federal funding in this area toward expanded coverage of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) instead.

For the nearly 550,000 British Columbians living with diabetes, this means access to essential medications with costs that previously reached as high as $18,306 per year for people with Type 1 diabetes and $10,014 per year for those with Type 2 diabetes.

Read the official BC Government overview.

What diabetes medications are covered?

As of March 1, 2026, Plan NP covers the full cost of many diabetes medications, including insulin, metformin, glyburide, gliclazide, dapagliflozin, and empagliflozin. This list is not exhaustive. BC PharmaCare's full benefit list also includes combination products and other agents, some of which require Special Authority. A few important details to understand about how coverage works: 

• Fully covered medications are subject to BC PharmaCare's Full Payment Policy, which means pharmacies cannot charge clients for the medication or any service associated with the dispense. You pay nothing at the counter. 
• Partially covered medications exist within the plan as well. Some benefits will be partially covered, subject to Low Cost Alternative (LCA) pricing, and the public is being encouraged to ask their pharmacist or prescriber to prescribe a fully covered version whenever possible. 
• Special Authority still applies to some medications. Several Plan NP diabetes benefits will continue to require Special Authority. Once approved, these benefits have 100% coverage and the Full Payment Policy applies. Ask your prescriber if you're unsure whether you have an active Special Authority approval in place.
• Insulin pricing is also changing. Previously, insulin was covered up to the regular retail price under existing PharmaCare plans. As of March 1, 2026, the pricing of insulin as a PharmaCare benefit is now regulated under the Drug Price Regulation and subject to the Maximum Pricing Policy and Full Payment Policy. This means better price controls and no out-of-pocket cost for covered insulins.

What devices and supplies will be covered?

Expanded coverage for certain diabetes-related devices and supplies will begin on April 1, 2026. More details are expected from BC PharmaCare leading up to that date.

Who is eligible?

All BC residents enrolled in MSP are eligible for Plan NP coverage. There is no separate registration process: coverage is applied automatically at the pharmacy counter. If you're in the MSP wait period as a new resident, pharmacists can submit a form to HIBC on your behalf to secure coverage in the meantime.

‍What should you do right now?

• Talk to your pharmacist: They can confirm whether your specific medications are fully or partially covered and suggest a fully covered equivalent if one exists. Since the Full Payment Policy applies to fully covered medications, switching could mean paying nothing at all. 
• Ask your prescriber about Special Authority: If you're on a diabetes medication that requires Special Authority, your doctor or nurse practitioner will need to ensure it is approved before you can access 100% coverage for that benefit.
• Check your insulin: Beginning March 1, 2026, many insulins covered under Plan NP will be free at the pharmacy. If you've been paying a portion of your insulin costs, ask your pharmacist whether your insulin is among the covered benefits. 
• Mark April 1 on your calendar: That's when expanded coverage for diabetes devices and supplies kicks in.

‍The bigger picture

Cost has long been one of the biggest barriers to consistent diabetes management, especially for people on insulin or newer medications like SGLT-2 inhibitors. Research suggests that reducing out-of-pocket costs is associated with improved medication adherence, which in turn reduces the risk of serious complications over time.

At Endor Health, we're focused on making diabetes management simpler and more accessible for Canadians, from CGMs and insulin pump supplies to prescriptions with direct insurance billing. Plan NP is a significant step in the right direction, and we'll keep you updated as new details emerge, particularly around device and supply coverage starting April 1.

For the official BC Government details on Plan NP, including the full list of covered medications, visit the National PharmaCare in BC page.