B.C. Formalizes $670 Million Pharmacare Agreement with Ottawa

British Columbia has formalized a pharmacare agreement with the federal government, becoming the second province to do so after Manitoba. The $670 million deal will provide coverage for diabetes medications, devices, and contraceptives, with implementation expected by March 2026. This agreement is part of a broader initiative under Canada's Pharmacare Act, which aims to expand access to affordable medications across the country. Manitoba's previous agreement, announced earlier, secured $219 million for similar coverage, set to begin in June 2025. The federal government is racing to finalize these deals amid looming federal elections, as such partnerships are seen as crucial to strengthening Canada's public healthcare system. Both provincial agreements highlight a significant shift towards universal pharmacare in Canada.