PharmaCare will save up to $1 million this fiscal year, and $4 million each year afterwards, by changing its coverage of diabetes supplies called blood glucose test strips, announced Health Minister Terry Lake today.

British Columbians are covered more broadly than in many other provinces for their diabetes medications and supplies under the PharmaCare program, which is available provincewide. Research shows that patients with Type 2 diabetes who do not use insulin can safely test their blood less often and may see benefits to reduced testing — such as decreased lifestyle disruption and a greater focus on management, instead of monitoring, of their condition.

“Our mandate within the Ministry of Health is to ensure that we continue our track record of providing high-quality health services to British Columbians while also living within our means as we continue to improve patient services,” said Lake. “Today’s announcement is an example of following national standards and reinvesting savings to further support front-line health care.”

This follows on PharmaCare’s 2011 educational strategy around the use of blood glucose test strips for diabetes educators, family physicians, pharmacists, and the public. As a result, many patients with Type 2 diabetes who are not using insulin have learned that they need not test as much as may have in the past and that this will not negatively affect their health.

Effective Jan. 1, 2015, the Ministry of Health will allocate the number of strips covered by PharmaCare each year, dependent on the testing needs of patients. Patients who depend on insulin will still have access to up to 3,000 strips per year and will be mainly unaffected by this change. Patients who have a medical need for more test strips will be able to receive coverage through PharmaCare, providing their coverage is authorized by a prescriber or health-care professional.

In 2013-14, the Ministry of Health spent more than $75.4 million on diabetes medication and supplies through the PharmaCare program, up 96% from 2003-04. B.C. is a leader among the provinces when it comes to tackling the issue of diabetes. In fact, the last report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information on diabetes care (2009) shows that B.C. leads the nation in care rates for people with diabetes.

The Ministry of Health has conducted a review of existing policies on blood glucose test strips, which many diabetics use to check their blood sugar levels. Based on recommendations from the Canadian Diabetes Association and the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health, as well as consultation with patients, doctors, nurses, diabetes educators, pharmacists and test strip manufacturers , the ministry has decided to introduce limits to coverage for blood glucose test strips, following Ontario’s similar 2013 decision.

The savings as a result of these changes will be used to support the ministry’s insulin pump program, which covers young adults aged 25 years and under. This decision aligns with the ministry’s planning guide, which focuses on ways to improve the overall health of the population, enhance the experience and outcomes of patients and achieve the best outcomes for the health care dollar.

Learn more:

Setting Priorities for the B.C. Health System:
http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/year/2014/Setting-priorities-BC-Health-Feb14.pdf

PharmaCare Medical Supplies Coverage: http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/pharmacare/medsup.html

Media Contacts:

Kristy Anderson
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)