Update: National Pharmacare took effect in Yukon on April 15, 2026

May 14, 2026

What’s Changing

As part of the national Pharmacare Act, individual agreements are made between the federal government and each Canadian province and territory.  Pharmacare provides universal, single-payer first-dollar access to many diabetes and contraception medications.

The Yukon previously announced a delay in the implementation of Pharmacare in the territory, however, its government has since announced that the National Pharmacare program was taking effect on April 15, 2026. First-dollar coverage will be available for certain diabetes and contraceptive medications for eligible Yukon residents. Some drugs may be subject to special authorization requirements under the Yukon National Pharmacare Program.

What plan members can expect

Some plan members may experience differences when making medication claims at the pharmacy:

  • Pharmacists will begin processing claims for covered medications under the Yukon National Pharmacare Program instead of a plan member’s group benefits plan.
  • For certain drugs, members must complete the special authorization process before coverage under the Yukon National Pharmacare Program begins. Members can speak with their prescriber for more information about this process.
  • Some plan members may receive more comprehensive coverage under Pharmacare than they previously had with their group benefits plan. For example, under their group benefits plan they may have been responsible for a co-pay or deductible, whereas the Yukon National Pharmacare Program may cover the total cost of the drug.
  • Existing coverage through their group benefits plan remains unchanged for medications not included in the new Yukon National Pharmacare Program.

To support communicating with plan members, we have developed a flyer with key information.

For additional information, please don't hesitate to contact the government of Yukon:
Phone: 867-667-5403,
or toll free at 1-800-661-0408.

Questions

If you have any questions, please contact your Sun Life Group Benefits Representative.