• On February 27, 2025, Manitoba signed Canada’s first bilateral agreement with the federal government for National Pharmacare.
• This agreement provides funding to support no cost coverage of diabetes medications and birth control for eligible Manitoba residents.

• The federal government’s National Pharmacare initiative provides funding to the provinces and territories to support no cost coverage of diabetes medications and birth control.
• In Manitoba, no cost coverage of diabetes medications and birth control is provided under MEPP.

• The federal government has described funding for no cost coverage of diabetes medications and birth control as the first phase of National Pharmacare.
• Manitoba looks forward to ongoing engagement with the federal government regarding future phases of National Pharmacare.

• Individuals who have an active Manitoba Health card and are not eligible for 100 per cent coverage through federal or other provincial drug programs are eligible for coverage under MEPP.
• Clients enrolled in the Manitoba Pharmacare Program, or eligible to enroll in the Manitoba Pharmacare Program, are eligible for MEPP.

• To receive coverage under MEPP, you need to have an active Manitoba Health card.
• For more information on eligibility for Manitoba Health coverage and how to register, visit Register for a Manitoba Health Card

There are no age, sex, or gender restrictions on who is eligible for coverage under MEPP.

• No. Clients with prescription medication coverage through a federal program are not eligible for coverage under MEPP.
• Clients with federal coverage should continue to receive their medications through federal programs.

• Manitobans without 100 per cent coverage through another provincial or federal drug program are eligible for MEPP, even if they have private insurance coverage.
• Manitobans who already have 100 per cent coverage through federal or other provincial program such as Indigenous Services Canada’s Non-Insured Health Benefit Program (NIHB) or Manitoba’s Employment Income Assistance Program (EIA) are not eligible for MEPP and should continue to access their medications through these programs.
• Clients enrolled in the Manitoba Pharmacare Program, or eligible to enroll in the Manitoba Pharmacare Program, are eligible for MEPP.

No. Individuals must have an active Manitoba Health card to be eligible for coverage under MEPP.

• No. With the establishment of the broader MEPP on April 15, 2025, the MPBCP and MHMP were dissolved.
• Coverage of eligible birth control products and medications for the prevention and treatment of HIV is now provided through MEPP.

MEPP covers the cost of eligible products (up to the lowest cost interchangeable product) and a professional fee of up to $14.

No. Manitoba Pharmacare Program deductibles do not apply to coverage under MEPP.

• MEPP will cover up to a maximum of one $14 professional fee:
• per month for diabetes medications and medications for HIV treatment or HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
• per three months for oral contraceptives (excluding emergency contraceptive pills).
• Pharmacies may dispense your medication more frequently (daily, weekly, biweekly, etc.), but must evenly split the professional fee based on the frequency of dispensing.
• Any additional fees the pharmacy may choose to charge will not be covered by MEPP.

• If you have been prescribed a medication that is a Part 1 (open) benefit under MEPP, the product is covered at no cost regardless of the reason for the prescription.
• If you have a been prescribed a medication that is a Part 2 or EDS benefit, you must meet established clinical criteria for the product to be covered at no cost under MEPP.
• A complete list of eligible MEPP medications, including the benefit type for each medication, is available here: Manitoba Enhanced Pharmacare Program Drug List

No. The cost of diabetes and hormone replacement therapy medications purchased before coverage came into effect on April 15, 2025 are not eligible for reimbursement.

• If you are eligible for coverage under MEPP and you purchase an eligible product out of pocket in another province/territory, you can submit a claim to Manitoba Health for reimbursement.
• If the specific products you purchased are not eligible benefits under MEPP, you will not be reimbursed.
• Claims must be submitted within six months of date of purchase.
• Claims must include the client’s full name, Manitoba Health Registration Number, and original, official pharmacy receipts.
• MEPP reimbursement requests must be submitted to:
  • Manitoba Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care
    Non-Insured Benefits
    300 Carlton Street
    Winnipeg, Manitoba
    R3B 3M9

Contact AskHealth for more information.

• Most birth control medications are covered under MEPP.
• A complete list of eligible MEPP medications is available here: Manitoba Enhanced Pharmacare Program Drug List

Access to free/low-cost birth control (without the requirement of an active Manitoba Health card) will continue through community health clinics and teen clinics.

• Confirm with your health care provider that your prescribed product is eligible under MEPP.
• Present the prescription for an eligible MEPP product and your Manitoba Health card at a pharmacy.
• The pharmacist will ask if you have 100 per cent coverage through federal or other provincial drug programs. If so, payment for your prescription will be processed through the other drug program rather than MEPP.
• The pharmacist will dispense your prescription. MEPP will cover the cost of the medication (up to the lowest cost interchangeable product) and a fee for dispensing the prescription.
• Arrange a visit to a doctor or clinic to have the IUD, implant, or injection inserted/administered.

• For coverage under MEPP, a prescription is required (whether issued by a physician, nurse practitioner, pharmacist or other authorized prescriber).
• Clients with a prescription for emergency contraceptives can visit the pharmacy counter, request the medication and have it covered under MEPP.
• If you do not already have a prescription, the pharmacist may write one and enter it into their pharmacy system so that your products can be covered under MEPP. It is possible that the pharmacist may charge a fee for this service (which is not covered under MEPP).

• MEPP covers the cost of the emergency contraceptive pills (up to the lowest cost interchangeable product) and up to a $14 professional fee, up to three times per fiscal year (from April to March).
• You can still purchase emergency contraceptive pills out of pocket if you need them more than three times in a year.

Medications covered under MEPP, including emergency contraceptive pills, are recorded in your medical record. Your medical record is confidential.

Clients who prefer to access emergency contraceptive pills anonymously without a prescription continue to have the options of purchasing the medication over the counter at their own cost (no reimbursement available) or attending a community health clinic or teen clinic in their region (e.g., Women’s Health Clinic, Youville, Mount Carmel Clinic) to obtain the medication at no cost.

• If you were prescribed emergency contraceptive pills by a health care provider, another authorized individual may pick up your medication on your behalf from the pharmacy.
• If you do not already have a prescription for emergency contraceptive pills, contact your pharmacy for guidance.

• Copper IUDs dispensed through community pharmacies are not covered under MEPP.
• However, the program does cover copper IUDs provided through primary health care providers. Your health care provider can order a copper IUD for you through MEPP.

• Any purchases of copper IUDs from a pharmacy are not eligible for reimbursement.
• Health care providers must order copper IUDs directly through the program for MEPP coverage.

• Manitoba pays the medication cost for medical abortion and a fee to the pharmacy for any Manitoba resident with an active Manitoba Health card and a prescription for Mifegymiso.
• Present a prescription and your Manitoba Health card at the pharmacy counter.

• No. Non-prescription birth control, such as condoms, cervical caps, diaphragms and sponges are not covered under MEPP.
• These items may be available free of charge through existing community health clinics.
• See GetSomeCondoms.com or connect with your local public health office to find free products in your region.

• Most diabetes medications are covered under MEPP.
• A complete list of eligible MEPP medications is available here: Manitoba Enhanced Pharmacare Program Drug List

Ozempic was not included in the federal list of medications for no-cost coverage for discussion with provinces and territories.

• Expanded coverage of insulin pumps and AGM came into effect in March 2023.
• The Manitoba Adult Insulin Pump Coverage Program (MAIPCP) provides no cost coverage of insulin pumps for Manitobans 18 years of age and older who meet eligibility criteria.
• More information about the MAIPCP can be found here: https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/mhsip/healthcoverage.html#ancillary-ten
• AGM are eligible Manitoba Pharmacare Program benefits for clients who meet eligibility criteria.
• More information about AGM coverage in Manitoba can be found here: https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/pharmacare/profdocs/faq_agm.pdf

• Diabetes supplies remain as benefits under the Manitoba Pharmacare Program (where deductibles apply), and other provincial programs such as Employment and Income Assistance.
• Manitoba continues to assess barriers to health care, including access to required medications and supplies.

• Most medications used for the prevention and treatment of HIV are covered under MEPP. This includes:
  • Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for people at ongoing high risk of acquiring HIV Talk to your health care provider if you think this may be right for you.
  • Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for people who may have been exposed to HIV within the last three days
  • Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) for people living with HIV
• A complete list of eligible MEPP medications is available here: Manitoba Enhanced Pharmacare Program Drug List

• Most hormone replacement therapy products are covered under MEPP.
• A complete list of eligible MEPP medications is available here: Manitoba Enhanced Pharmacare Program Drug List