PharmaCare covers new medical device for people with diabetes

People living with diabetes will benefit from BC PharmaCare’s coverage of FreeStyle Libre 2, a flash glucose monitor (FGM) that allows users to read their blood-sugar levels by swiping a hand-held device or smartphone over the sensor.

The FreeStyle Libre 2 will be covered by BC PharmaCare as a limitedcoverage benefit beginning Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023.

Glucose monitors enable patients or their caregivers to take action sooner, and help protect people by empowering patients, caregivers and clinicians

PharmaCare currently covers approximately 13,000 patients for the Dexcom G6. Some of these patients may switch to the FreeStyle Libre 2. New patients may use a FreeStyle Libre 2 once it becomes a PharmaCare benefit.

Diabetes affects the body’s ability to regulate blood-glucose levels. The complications of poorly controlled diabetes range from acute (e.g., fatigue, ketoacidosis, seizures) to chronic (e.g., nerve and organ damage). In Canada, diabetes is the sixth-leading cause of death and the