British Columbia reaches agreement with Ottawa on drug insurance

Photo: Darryl Dyck The Canadian Press British Columbia Health Minister Adrian Dix and his federal counterpart Mark Holland in July

The Canadian Press in Vancouver

Posted yesterday at 8:14 p.m.

• Canada

British Columbia on Thursday became the first Canadian province to sign a pharmacare agreement with the federal government that will help fund hormone replacement therapy and diabetes-related expenses.

British Columbia's share of the $1.5-billion national plan is estimated at $195 million, according to federal Health Minister Mark Holland. Under the memorandum of understanding, funding could begin as early as April, once the legislation clears the Senate.

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The coverage was supposed to be for birth control and diabetes medications and supplies, but B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix points out that oral contraceptives are already covered under a provincial program, so that portion will be used to cover hormone replacement therapy for women.

Mr. Dix explains that about 150,000 British Columbians take diabetes medications, and coverage for hormone replacement therapy will benefit 40,000 women.

Mr. Holland wants to sign agreements with provinces and territories that will set out the framework for the pharmacare program while the Senate is still considering the bill, so that medications can be administered as quickly as possible once it becomes law.

In April 2023, British Columbia became the first Canadian province to offer oral contraceptives free of charge.

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• Ottawa imposes conditions on Quebec to touch its drug insurance