B.C. health care: PharmaCare expands drug coverage for diabetes, heart failure

A pharmacist is seen checking inventory at an unknown pharmacy. (Shutterstock.com)

Expanded coverage is now available to British Columbians being treated for Type 2 diabetes, heart failure and blood clots, the provincial Health Ministry says.

In a news release Thursday, the ministry released a list of what's included in its new and expanded PharmaCare coverage, the rollout of which began last year.

Coverage for the following medications is being expanded this year, effective immediately:

PharmaCare previously provided limited coverage for Empagliflozin (Jardiance) and Semaglutide (Ozempic) for Type 2 diabetic patients who had tried and been unable to control their blood sugar levels by taking Metformin and a Sulfonylurea drug or Metformin and an insulin.

"PharmaCare is changing the coverage from third-line to second-line," the ministry adds. "Patients now only have to try one drug, Metformin, before their physician can request coverage of Empagliflozin or Semaglutide."