Many diabetes medications, birth control now free for Islanders under new pharmacare deal

Thinh Nguyen · CBC News

· Posted: May 02, 2025 12:50 PM EDT | Last Updated: 11 minutes ago

As of this week, Prince Edward Island residents tin entree a scope of commencement power products and diabetes medications and supplies for escaped done the caller nationalist pharmacare program.

The agreement, announced successful March, volition spot the national authorities wage $30 cardinal implicit 4 years to screen costs for drugs and supplies effectual May 1.

P.E.I. residents with a valid wellness paper are covered automatically.

"I judge it volition payment astir 41,000 Islanders for contraceptives and astir 16,000 radical who person diabetes connected P.E.I.," P.E.I. Health Minister Mark McLane said successful the legislature Thursday. "We're precise arrogant that we were capable to get that woody done with the national government."

A implicit database of what's included tin beryllium recovered connected the province's website.

Some diabetes medications, supplies and commencement power products are lone partially funded, meaning Islanders whitethorn inactive request to wage portion of the cost. For example, if idiosyncratic chooses a brand-name cause erstwhile a generic mentation is available, they'll request to wage the terms quality retired of pocket.

Additionally, Islanders enrolled successful the Diabetes Drug Program who are taking non-insulin diabetes medications volition present besides person their glucose trial strips covered.