PharmaCare Newsletter
Last updated on March 6, 2025
March 2025 PharmaCare Newsletter
On this page:
- B.C. signs national pharmacare agreement – Special release
- Ministry of Health seeking members for new pharmacy council
- New BC Registry application launches March 2025
- TI Letter: Avoid serotonergic antidepressants for people with alcohol and other substance use disorders
- Reminder: Physician assistant Practitioner ID code is M9
- March is Pharmacy Appreciation Month! #PAM2025
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B.C. signs national pharmacare agreement – Special release
Resources
Ministry of Health seeking members for new pharmacy council
The Ministry of Health is seeking applications from front-line pharmacy professionals to form a pharmacy council. The 34-member council will act as an advisory body, providing feedback on pharmaceutical policy, practice topics, and patient/provider experience to support Ministry decision-making.
The council will include practising pharmacists and pharmacy technicians from across the province, working in a variety of practice settings and organization types. Members of the council will be remunerated for their participation. There will be least four virtual meetings annually.
Visit Ministry of Health Pharmacy Council to learn more. To apply to become a council member, submit the online Pharmacy Council Application. Applications will be accepted until April 4, 2025, at 11:59 pm.
Ideal applicants:
- Practising pharmacists or pharmacy technicians, licensed in good standing with the College of Pharmacists of BC
- Minimum of three years’ experience in pharmacy practice
- Enthusiastic about shaping the future of pharmacy practice in B.C.
- Do not currently belong to a committee or working group in direct communication with the Ministry of Health
- No conflict of interest, where personal or financial interest may influence input to the Pharmacy Council
- Experience on an advisory committee, working group or focus group
Resources
New BC Registry application launches March 2025
BC OnLine is being replaced with the BC Registry application. This month (March 2025), B.C. company incorporations and filings will move to the BC Registry application. Learn more at bcreg.ca/corporations.
Pharmacies will soon be able to add officer information to the BC Registry application. In the meantime, pharmacies are encouraged to file their officer information and/or update it voluntarily using Schedule A: Owner Details (PDF, 513KB).
PharmaCare has a provider enrolment requirement that subsidiary corporations that are not publicly traded and which have a parent corporation that is not publicly traded must provide the names and contact information of all officers and directors of the parent corporation.
Resources
TI Letter: Avoid serotonergic antidepressants for people with alcohol and other substance use disorders
The Therapeutics Initiative (TI) recently published a Therapeutics Letter that reviewed the evidence, utilization and guideline recommendations for antidepressants in people with substance use disorders. Visit Avoid serotonergic antidepressants for people with alcohol and other substance use disorders to read the letter.
Resources
Reminder: Physician assistant Practitioner ID code is M9
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC has begun registering physician assistants (PAs) to work under the direction of physicians in emergency departments in B.C. Pharmacies can expect prescriptions written by certified PAs.
The first two PAs in the province started clinical shifts at Saanich Peninsula Hospital emergency department on January 8, 2025, as part of a prototype project. In B.C., PAs work under a supervising emergency department physician. More hires are expected throughout the province.
The PharmaNet practitioner reference ID for certified PAs is M9. Pharmacists must enter the prescriber’s 5-digit practitioner ID, last name, and enter or select the new practitioner reference ID (M9) for transactions to adjudicate correctly.
If your pharmacy management software does not include the reference ID for physician assistants (i.e., M9), please contact your software vendor.
Note that PAs are not authorized to prescribe narcotics or controlled substances. If a pharmacist believes that a prescription for a narcotic or controlled substance was written by a PA, they should not dispense the prescription.
Resources
March is Pharmacy Appreciation Month! #PAM2025
March is Pharmacy Appreciation Month (PAM), the annual national campaign that shines a spotlight on Canada’s pharmacy professionals.
The contributions of our pharmacy teams, especially over the past few years, have been remarkable. From supporting communities through the pandemic to helping patients navigate care during Canada’s primary care crisis, managing ongoing drug shortages, and everything in between, pharmacy professionals are a key piece of Canada’s health care system.
In B.C., pharmacist scope of practice continues to evolve as pharmacists take on additional roles and responsibilities such as:
- Drug administration
- Adapting prescriptions
- Prescription renewal
- Prescribing for minor ailments and contraception
- Ordering lab tests
An overview of the first year of data (June 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024) for pharmacists prescribing for minor ailments and contraception (PPMAC) is now available. Visit Pharmacists Prescribing for Minor Ailments and Contraception (PPMAC) one-year overview (PDF, 188KB) for the data overview.
Join the conversation on social media (#PAM2025) and take the time to thank and appreciate your pharmacy team and our broader pharmacy community. There are many ways to celebrate PAM. Visit Pharmacy Appreciation Month for more information.
Happy Pharmacy Appreciation Month!
Resources
- CPhA: Pharmacy Appreciation Month (PAM)
- CSHP BC Wednesday lunchtime presentation series: Pharmacy Appreciation Month (PAM) 2025
- BCPhA: Pharmacy Appreciation Month
Policy spotlight: Plan Z
RAT kit payment update
Since the last newsletter, PharmaCare has paid pharmacies for COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT) kit distribution as follows:
| Payment month | Payment date | |
| December 2024 | March 3, 2025 | |
Pharmacies are paid $75 for each case of RAT kits distributed, and pharmacists are reminded to enter the correct PIN for each case of RAT kits distributed.
- BTNX: 66128325
- Artron: 66128338
Resources
- 2024 PharmaCare Provider Payment Schedule (PDF, 165KB)
- 2025 PharmaCare Provider Payment Schedule (PDF, 120KB)
Limited coverage benefits: Selumetinib (Koselugo™)
PharmaCare has added the following limited coverage items to the PharmaCare drug list. Special Authority approval is required for coverage.
| Drug name | Selumetinib (Koselugo™) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date effective | February 12, 2025 | ||
| Indication | For the treatment of neurofibromatosis type 1 with symptomatic and inoperable plexiform neurofibromas in pediatric patients (aged 2 to under 18 years) who have symptomatic, inoperable plexiform neurofibromas, when requested by a neurooncologist or a pediatrician with expertise in neurooncology. | ||
| DINs | 02530139 02530147 |
Strength & form | 10 mg capsule 25 mg capsule |
Non-benefits: Brolucizumab (Beovu®)
PharmaCare has decided not to cover the following drug for the noted indication.
| Drug name | Brolucizumab (Beovu®) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date effective | February 11, 2025 | ||
| Indication | For the treatment of diabetic macular edema. | ||
| DIN | 02496976 | Strength & form | 6 mg/0.05 mL solution for intravitreal injection |
Delisting: Vancomycin hydrochloride for injection USP
Effective March 6, 2025, PharmaCare is delisting vancomycin hydrochloride 5 g vial for injection. Vancomycin 500 mg and 1 g vials for injection remain regular benefits. Oral vancomycin 125 mg and 250 mg capsules remain limited coverage benefits.
| Drug name | Vancomycin hydrochloride for injection USP | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date effective | March 6, 2025 | ||
| Indication | The therapy of severe or life-threatening staphylococcal infections in patients who cannot receive or have failed to respond to the penicillins or cephalosporins, or who have infections with staphylococci resistant to other antibiotics, including methicillin. | ||
| Manufacturer | Fresenius Kabi Canada Ltd. | ||
| DIN | 02139243 | Strength & form | 5 g vial, sterile lyophilized powder for solution |
Your Voice: Input needed for drug decisions
The knowledge and experience of patients, caregivers and patient groups is integral to B.C.’s drug review process. If you know someone who is taking one of the drugs below or who has a condition any of the drugs treat, please encourage them to visit www.gov.bc.ca/BCyourvoice.
Your Voice is now accepting input on the following drugs:
| Drug | Indication | Input window | |
| ruxolitinib (Opzelura®) | Nonsegmental vitiligo in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older | February 26 to March 25 at 11:59 pm | |
| guselkumab (Tremfya®) | Moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adults | February 26 to March 25 at 11:59 pm | |
| bimekizumab (Bimzelx®) | Moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) in adults | February 26 to March 25 at 11:59 pm | |
| teprotumumab (TBC) | Moderate to severe active thyroid eye disease (TED) in adults | February 26 to March 25 at 11:59 pm | |
| trofinetide (Daybue™) | Rett syndrome (RTT) in adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older | February 26 to March 25 at 11:59 pm | |
Social prescriptions: A holistic approach to health in B.C.
B.C. health professionals are adopting innovative ways to improve population health through non-clinical prescriptions that complement traditional medical care.
Known as social prescribing, physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other health professionals can “prescribe” activities and services that support social, emotional, and lifestyle factors – to reduce social isolation, improve mental health, and enhance quality of life while decreasing reliance on medical interventions.
Bobbi Symes, director of Healthy Aging at BC United Way (BCUW) points out, “When you think about the social determinants of health – transportation, housing, food security – those aren’t things that can be treated by a traditional prescription.”
The BCUW recently completed a successful three-year program to expand Social Prescribing resources on the Lower Mainland. The BCUW is working with the Ministry of Health to expand from 20 programs in B.C. to over 100 by the end of 2026.
Examples of social prescriptions:
- Bereavement groups
- Free local tax clinics
- Community gardening
- Disability Benefits Compass
- Food bank/meal programs
- Assistance with discharge from hospital
- Peer support
- Social/community activities such as a book club or dance class
Social prescribing at pharmacies
Community pharmacies are increasingly recognized as a valuable setting for social prescribing due to their accessibility and growing role in public health. For pharmacists, social prescribing may improve collaboration with a wider network of health-related professions and contribute to a more integrated healthcare system.
Pharmacists may want to explore opportunities to integrate social prescribing in their clients' care plans and take notes to follow up on their progress.
Ways to get involved
- Register as a prescriber for PaRx: An initiative of the BC Parks Foundation, B.C.’s PaRx “park prescription” program supports healthcare professionals to prescribe nature. Patients can also find information and evidence on time in nature as a treatment for specific conditions
- Write it on a prescription pad: Studies suggest that written prescriptions are significantly more effective than verbal advice in motivating patients to make a change
- Learn from communities leading the way in social prescribing: Visit the Pathways Community Service Directory to explore social prescribing resources from communities such as the Fraser Valley, Vancouver and Nanaimo
- Bring art into healthcare spaces: The Arts on Prescription Field Guide (PDF, 7.9MB) suggests incorporating arts-based experiences in healthcare settings. Pharmacies could display local artwork to enrich their space and support community artists
Resources
- Social prescribing in pharmacies: What is it, does it work and what does it mean for Canadian pharmacies?
- The green prescription study: A randomized controlled trial of written exercise advice provided by general practitioners
- Arts on Prescription: A Field Guide for US Pharmacies (PDF, 7.9MB)
- Building the capacity of older adults and community: findings from a developmental evaluation of United Way British Columbia’s social prescribing programs for older adults
- Register as a prescriber for PaRx
- Pathways Community Service Directory
- United Way BC Celebrates Social Prescribing Day: Empowering Seniors to Achieve Health and Happiness
Prescribed alternatives witnessing: New requirement – Special release, February 21, 2025
Under changes to the prescribed alternatives program announced by Health Minister Josie Osborne on February 19, 2025, a health professional must witness the consumption of prescribed alternatives. The new requirement is to ensure that each dose is taken by its intended recipient.
The requirement is related to the ongoing investigation of incentives provided to people receiving daily dispensing of opioid agonist treatment (OAT) and diversion of prescribed opioids.
Prescribed alternatives are also referred to as “prescribed safer supply” and “safer alternatives”.
The requirement takes effect immediately for new patients.
For existing patients:
- The Province will work closely with clinicians to transition patients to supervised consumption as quickly as possible, while ensuring continuity of care
- BCCSU will release new clinical resources to support the safe transition from non-witnessed to witnessed doses (expected in a few weeks)
- Until new guidance is issued, clinicians are encouraged to continue to support patients who are currently receiving non-witnessed doses, as described in BCCSU’s clinical resources
Continuing investigations
In June 2024, the Ministry of Health’s Special Investigative Unit and PharmaCare’s audit team, in collaboration with the College of Pharmacists of BC and law enforcement, launched investigations and/or audits in relation to cash incentives paid by pharmacies to clients receiving OAT.
Through the investigation, the Province has received allegations of illegal activity at approximately 60 pharmacies located across the province – a figure representing fewer than 5% of the 1543 pharmacies operating in B.C. Most pharmacies follow the rules and provide quality care.
It is strictly prohibited under section 51 of the Pharmaceutical Services Act (PSA) to offer an incentive as an inducement for a beneficiary to receive a benefit from a particular provider. All PharmaCare providers must fully comply with the Act and its regulations.
If you know or have reason to believe that a pharmacy is not complying with the Act, please contact Incentives@gov.bc.ca
Transition planning
Additional details regarding the program changes announced on February 19 – including any modifications to fees – will be provided as they become available. In the meantime, pharmacists should adhere to the current standards of practice, using their professional judgement to ensure continuity of care and prioritize client safety.
Resources
- Government provides update on pharmacy investigations, prescribed alternatives
- Pharmaceutical Services Act
About the PharmaCare Newsletter
PharmaCare newsletters are published on the first Tuesday or Wednesday (if following a long weekend) of each month, with occasional mid-month special releases. Newsletters communicate drug listings, PharmaCare policy, PharmaNet procedures, and other pertinent information for PharmaCare providers.
Information in previous newsletters is accurate as of the date it was published. Newsletters are not retroactively updated when policy, procedures or other information changes. Refer to the most recent mention of a topic for up-to-date information.
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The PharmaCare Newsletter team works from the territory of the Lekwungen People, including the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. Our gratitude extends to them, and all the Indigenous Peoples on whose territories and lands we build relationships.
BC PharmaCare counts on pharmacy and device providers to practise cultural safety and humility.
To learn more, read Coming Together for Wellness, a series of articles by First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and PharmaCare, and consider taking the online San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety course.
Active advisories:
Calcitriol injection; Abatacept (Orencia®); Cholestyramine and colesevelam; Tamsulosin capsules & tablets; Prazosin tablets, Sabril® tablets; nitroglycerin sprays & tablets; Glucagon for injection.
Visit Drug shortages for full list and details.