Many diabetes medications, birth control now free for Islanders under new pharmacare deal
P.E.I. residents with a valid health card are automatically covered
As of this week, Prince Edward Island residents can access a range of birth control products and diabetes medications and supplies for free through the new national pharmacare program.
The agreement, announced in March, will see the federal government pay $30 million over four years to cover costs for drugs and supplies effective May 1.
P.E.I. residents with a valid health card are covered automatically.
"I believe it will benefit about 41,000 Islanders for contraceptives and about 16,000 people who have diabetes on P.E.I.," P.E.I. Health Minister Mark McLane said in the legislature Thursday. "We're very proud that we were able to get that deal done with the federal government."
A complete list of what's included can be found on the province's website.
Some diabetes medications, supplies and birth control products are only partially funded, meaning Islanders may still need to pay part of the cost. For example, if someone chooses a brand-name drug when a generic version is available, they'll need to pay the price difference out of pocket.
Additionally, Islanders enrolled in the Diabetes Drug Program who are taking non-insulin diabetes medications will now also have their glucose test strips covered.