Federal pharmacare coverage for contraceptives and diabetes medications is available in four places: British Columbia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island and Yukon, according to Health Canada.
The department’s national pharmacare page says covered products are available at the pharmacy counter for free, and that many require a valid prescription. The page lists only provinces and territories that have signed agreements with the federal government. It tells residents of other jurisdictions to contact their provincial or territorial health ministry about public prescription drug coverage.
Each of the four programs is run by its own government, so eligibility, covered products and how to access them differ.
British Columbia
The B.C. government said the BC PharmaCare National Pharmacare Plan launched March 1, 2026. It covers 100 per cent of eligible medications for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, including insulins, metformin, dapagliflozin and empagliflozin, along with menopausal hormone therapy.
Contraceptives remain free under existing provincial coverage, the government said in its Feb. 26 announcement. Expanded coverage for certain diabetes devices and supplies began April 1, 2026.
Residents enrolled in the Medical Services Plan do not need to register. Coverage is processed at the pharmacy counter with a prescription and a B.C. Services Card. The province said federal funding under the agreement signed March 6, 2025, is up to $670 million over three years.
Manitoba
The Manitoba Enhanced Pharmacare Program began April 15, 2025. The province says it covers most medications for birth control, diabetes, HIV prevention and treatment, and hormone replacement.
Four copper IUDs are available at no cost through a health care provider, and the medical abortion drug Mifegymiso is covered with a prescription. Condoms, cervical caps, diaphragms, sponges, diabetes supplies and Ozempic are not covered, and neither are copper IUDs bought at a pharmacy.
To be eligible, a person needs an active Manitoba Health card and cannot already have 100 per cent coverage from a federal or other provincial drug program. Private insurance does not disqualify someone. Manitoba Pharmacare deductibles do not apply.
The program covers the product up to the price of the lowest-cost interchangeable product, plus a professional fee of up to $14. That fee is applied once a month for diabetes and HIV medications and once every three months for oral contraceptives. Emergency contraceptive pills are covered up to three times per fiscal year, which runs April to March.
A person presents a prescription and Manitoba Health card at a pharmacy. For a hormonal IUD, implant or injection, the pharmacy dispenses the product and a doctor or clinic arranges the insertion or administration.
Prince Edward Island
The National Pharmacare Program began in P.E.I. on May 1, 2025. The provincial government says it covers a range of contraceptives, diabetes medications and blood glucose test strips.
Covered contraceptives include hormonal and copper IUDs, implants, oral contraceptives, vaginal rings, injections and emergency contraceptives. The province says no application is required for contraception coverage.
Brand-name NuvaRing and brand-name Plan B may carry a partial cost. Ella (ulipristal acetate) requires a prescription and is not covered by the program.
Yukon
The Yukon government has said the Yukon National Pharmacare Program launched April 15, 2026, with first-dollar coverage for eligible contraception and diabetes medications listed in the Yukon Drug Formulary.
No application is needed. Yukon residents with valid health care coverage are enrolled automatically. Claims are processed in real time at pharmacies, and the program acts as the primary payer even for residents who have private insurance.
Diabetes devices and supplies are handled through other programs: Chronic Disease and Disability Benefits at 867-667-5092 or the Senior Pharmacare Program at 867-667-5403. Program support is available at 867-393-7480 or [email protected].
Everywhere else
Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut do not appear on Health Canada’s list of jurisdictions with pharmacare agreements. Residents there can check with their provincial or territorial health ministry or a pharmacist about what public or private coverage applies to them.
This article is based on official guidance from Health Canada and the governments of British Columbia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island and Yukon and is provided for general public information. It’s not a substitute for medical advice, if you have questions about how this applies to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
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Sources: Health Canada, How to access national pharmacare; Government of B.C. news release; Manitoba Enhanced Pharmacare Program; Government of P.E.I., National Pharmacare Program; Government of Yukon announcement.
