BC Plan NP Lists Estradot 50/75/100 as Partial-Benefit MHT

British Columbia's National Pharmacare Plan (Plan NP) menopausal hormone therapy benefit list, with coverage that began March 1, 2026, designates the Estradot 50, 75, and 100 mcg/24-hour patches as partial-benefit products subject to Low Cost Alternative pricing, while the Sandoz Estradiol Derm patches at the same strengths are listed as full benefit.

What Plan NP covers as of March 1, 2026

The BC Ministry of Health page, last updated June 8, 2026, lists the specific menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) products covered under Plan NP with coverage beginning March 1, 2026. Global News reported the March 1 start date for menopause medications under BC PharmaCare.

The BC list groups MHT benefits into six categories:

• Oral micronized progesterone (five 100 mg capsule products, all full benefit)
• Vaginal estrogen (Premarin vaginal cream 0.625 mg/g, and IMVEXXY 4 mcg and 10 mcg vaginal inserts, all full benefit)
• Topical estrogen and estrogen/progesterone gels and patches
• Oral estradiol (Lupin-Estradiol full benefit; PMS-Estradiol partial benefit)
• Oral conjugated estrogen (Premarin 0.3, 0.625, and 1.25 mg extended-release tablets, full benefit)
• Oral medroxyprogesterone (Aa-Medroxy full benefit; Provera partial benefit)

Full-benefit vs. partial-benefit patches and gels

Within the topical category, Divigel gel packets at 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, and 1 mg, the Estrogel 1.25 g pump, Climara 25/50/75 patches, and Estradot 25 and 37.5 mcg patches are listed as full benefit. The Estradot 50, 75, and 100 mcg/24-hour patches are marked as partial benefit, meaning they are subject to Low Cost Alternative (LCA) pricing.

At the same three strengths, Sandoz Estradiol Derm 50, 75, and 100 mcg patches are listed as full benefit, and the Estalis combination patches (140/50 mcg and 250/50 mcg) are also full benefit. The Ministry notes that under the Full Payment Policy for fully covered products, pharmacists cannot charge clients for the medication or any service associated with the dispense.

Special Authority is not required for any MHT benefit under Plan NP, and Plan NP dispenses do not count toward the Fair PharmaCare deductible or family maximum. For provider price context outside Plan NP, see current estradiol patch pricing, estradiol gel pricing, and progesterone pricing.

What the fee rules do and don't cover

Health Canada states that national pharmacare covers the costs of listed products and medications, including the dispensing fee, but does not cover delivery fees or pharmacist prescribing fees. Under the federal framework, private and public drug plans continue to cover a range of products outside those included in pharmacare bilateral agreements.

Provincial scope of national pharmacare

According to the Canadian Medical Association, three provinces and one territory are currently enrolled in national pharmacare: Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, British Columbia, and Yukon. Bill C-64, the Pharmacare Act, became law in October 2024, with a first phase focused on diabetes medications and contraceptives.

Menopausal hormone therapy is not part of the federal first-phase list of contraception and diabetes categories described by Health Canada. BC's Plan NP MHT benefit list is the provincial implementation detail that specifies which MHT products are covered and at what benefit level in that province.

For more coverage updates, see women's health news or the price comparison homepage.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Sources

• Plan NP menopausal hormone therapy
• Menopause meds to be covered by PharmaCare starting March 1
• What's covered by national pharmacare
• About national pharmacare
• How does pharmacare work in Canada and who qualifies?