Mifepristone availability at B.C. community pharmacies
A recent study, funded in part by UBC’s Faculty of Medicine, found that 34 per cent of surveyed B.C. community pharmacies could not dispense mifepristone within three days of receiving a prescription. Mifepristone Access Through Community Pharmacies When Regulated as a Routine Prescription Medication explores mifepristone availability in B.C.
Among 1,460 pharmacies:
- 66 per cent were able to dispense mifepristone within 3 days
- 12 per cent referred the caller to a dispensing pharmacy
- 23 per cent of pharmacies neither dispensed nor provided a referral
Pharmacies in urban areas were more likely to be non-dispensing and non-referring.
Plan Z coverage
Plan Z fully covers mifepristone/misoprostol for B.C. residents enrolled in MSP with a prescription. Exceptional Plan Z coverage for mifepristone/misoprostol is available to patients in B.C. who have completed both steps of MSP enrolment but are still in the wait period/not yet actively enrolled.
Entering claims in PharmaNet
When dispensing mifepristone/misoprostol, enter the following in PharmaNet:
- Quantity: 1 kit
- Day Supply: 1 day
- DIN for Mifegymiso: 02444038
- DIN for Femyso: 02560569
Resources
- Guide for Dispensing Mifegymiso for Medical Abortion (PDF, 483KB) – Contraception and Abortion Research Team (CART)
- Plan Z (Assurance)
- PharmaCare Policy Manual, Section 5.11: Low Cost Alternative Program
- Mifepristone Access Through Community Pharmacies When Regulated as a Routine Prescription Medication – JAMA Network Open
- Mifegymiso, 200mcg+200mg, Tablet – HealthLinkBC
MedSask Updates: June 2026
MedSask’s resource “Minor Ailment and Self Care Guidelines” is available for all pharmacists in B.C. at no cost. This resource, funded by the Ministry of Health, provides treatment algorithms, patient assessment and treatment checklists for each condition, which can be used as a tool to aid decision-making when prescribing for minor ailments.
As of June 2, the B.C. Hormonal Contraception guideline was updated to include information on Ringza.
Ringza™(segesterone ring) is a reusable yearly ring; An important consideration is the limited data for BMI >29 kg/m2 noted in labeling, however, an American product (Annovera®) has been on the market since 2018 and therefore already incorporated into guidelines — therefore the standard risk assessment may be used.
CPhA launches Pharmacists CAN with interactive scope of practice map
CPhA recently launched PharmacistsCAN.ca, a national advocacy campaign focused on closing the gap between what pharmacists are educated to do and what they are authorized to do in practice.
Through PharmacistsCAN.ca, Canadians can see the gap between pharmacists’ education and what they are currently allowed to do in their province or territory and, in just a few clicks, send a letter to their elected representatives calling for legislative and regulatory changes.
Emergency contraception in B.C.: addressing myths
In a recent PharmaCare newsletter, the Ministry of Health addressed common myths and misunderstandings about emergency contraception (ECs), along with clarifying how patients can access these medications in B.C.
For example, levonorgestrel ECs products are available without a prescription as Schedule 3 medications, allowing patients to self-select them directly from the pharmacy. Pharmacists can then enter the claim in the patient’s PharmaNet profile for billing purposes.
PharmaCare’s Plan NP also provides coverage for levonorgestrel ECs, including full coverage for eligible claims. Products such as Contingency One, Backup Plan One-Step, and MyStep are available at no cost for B.C. residents enrolled in MSP.
Resources:
PA Witness Fee payments begin June 1, 2026
PharmaCare has announced updates to Prescribed Alternatives (PA) Witness Fee payments: The first PA Witness Fee payment will be issued on June 1, 2026, covering claims for April 2026. Payments will be made monthly thereafter, with the next payment scheduled for July 7, 2026 for May 2026 claims. A retroactive payment will be issued later this summer for eligible claims submitted between June 18, 2025, and March 31, 2026.
Resources:
Medication incident reporting now in force
British Columbia's mandatory medication incident reporting requirements came into force on June 1, 2026. The program, implemented by the College of Pharmacists of B.C., is called the Continuous Improvement, Reporting, Collaborating and Learning program (CIRCL).
The College has released four webinars to educate pharmacy teams about the new program.
Links are available to the webinars below:
Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario expand pharmacist care
Select Alberta pharmacies will begin rural pilot projects on health screening, point-of-care testing and acute condition assessments as part of a new three-year agreement between the province and the Alberta Pharmacists' Association. The new deal includes a small dispensing fee increase, in addition to extending prescription refill supplies to 100 days for some types of medications.
Saskatchewan pharmacists have signed a new deal with their provincial government that includes $13.8 million in funding to support pharmacy sustainability, increase patient access, and expand scope of practice. Under the agreement, expanded areas include strep throat and ear infection services, medication reviews, minor ailment prescribing and chronic disease management.
Ontario pharmacists are being enabled to administer more vaccines and prescribe for another nine common ailments. Starting July 2026, pharmacists in Ontario will be able to administer publicly funded vaccines for tetanus, pertussis, diphtheria, pneumococcal, RSV and shingles. Meanwhile, the new minor ailment categories — calluses and corns, dandruff, dry eye, head lice, jock itch, mild headache, nasal congestion, ringworm, and warts — will bring the list of minor ailments in Ontario to 33.
New digital posters for pharmacies available
New posters are available for pharmacists on the topics of immunization and gender affirming care.
New HPOA in effect
The Province's new Health Professions and Occupations Act came into effect on April 1, 2026. The BCPhA has created a backgrounder for members that provides an overview of and key changes to know.
The College has also has provided an update that pharmacists should familiarize themselves with.
Read BCPhA's HPOA backgrounder (member login required)