Crystal Pharmacy 麗晶藥房

04/18/2026

"Are all blood glucose test strips free in BC now?"

No.

We've been receiving numerous inquiries about this since March 2026. The actual situation is that starting April 1st, all diabetes blood glucose test strips, lancets, alcohol swabs, and ketone strips are included in the National Pharmacare Plan¹, but not free or immediately subsidized.

The following conditions must be met:
Completion of a BC government-approved diabetes training course* and receipt of its certificate of attendance;
Registration with the BC government's Fair Pharmacare program.

Once these two steps are completed, the price of diabetes blood test strips, lancets, alcohol swabs, and ketone strips purchased at any pharmacy in BC will be counted towards the Fair Pharmacare deductible.
Once the deductible is reached, when prescription drug purchases have Fair Pharmacare coverage, then the purchase of diabetes blood test strips, lancets, alcohol swabs, and ketone strips will also be eligible for the Fair Pharmacare coverage.

Note there is an annual purchase amount limit under this program:
Lancets: 400
Alcohol wipes/cotton pads: 300
Urine ketone test strips: 100
Diabetes blood test strips: 200-400
Diabetes blood test strips (active insulin users): 3000

To find out more about this program, please contact your local pharmacy or call the BC Fair Pharmacare at 1-800-663-7100.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/pharmacare-for-bc-residents/what-we-cover/diabetes-supplies

* You can also check with your local Diabetes Education Centre to see when will diabetes training course be available

04/18/2026

“現在血糖紙是否都是免費”

不是

自今年三月以來已經常有客人查詢以上問題. 實際情況是從4月1日開始， 所有糖尿病驗血試紙， 採血針, 酒精棉, 及尿酮試紙(Ketone strips)均被納入國家藥物保健計劃(National Pharmacare Plan)1, 但不是免費或馬上有補助, 必須符合以下條件:
有成功完成BC省政府認可的糖尿病訓練課程*, 及有收到其證書
有登記BC省政府的公平藥物補助計劃(Fair Pharmacare)
當以上兩步完成後, 在BC省任何藥房買糖尿病驗血試紙， 採血針, 酒精棉, 及尿酮試紙的價錢才會被計算入公平藥物補助計劃的墊底費(deductible)內
當墊底費付滿後, 購買處方藥開始有補助時, 購買糖尿病驗血試紙， 採血針, 酒精棉, 及尿酮試紙亦會開始有補助

注意省政府補助是有年度限購數量的:
採血針 400 個
酒精濕紙巾/棉片 300 片
尿酮試紙 100 條
糖尿病驗血試紙 200 至 400 張
糖尿病驗血試紙 (需用胰島素) 3000 張

如欲更詳盡了解補助細節, 可向自己相熟的藥房查詢或電BC省公平藥物補助計劃 1-800-663-7100 (有中文服務)

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/pharmacare-for-bc-residents/what-we-cover/diabetes-supplies
* 可向所居住城市的糖尿病教育中心Diabetes Education Centre 查詢有否舉辦華語的糖尿病訓練課程

Crystal Pharmacy (est. 2007) is an independently owned pharmacy in Burnaby, B.C, Canada, proudly serving our community in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. Come talk to us today.

04/02/2026

We will be closing on April 3rd, Easter Friday. Sorry for the inconvenience
我們會於4月3日復活節星期五休息

03/24/2026

Acetaminophen (TylenolⓇ) vs. Ibuprofen (AdvilⓇ, MotrinⓇ)

“Which one should I take—Tylenol or Advil?” is a very common question community pharmacists get asked on a daily basis.

When we have an infection or injury, our body produces chemicals that can induce fever, pain, and inflammation. Both Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Advil (ibuprofen) can antagonize the effects of these chemicals, but Tylenol works only in the brain, whereas Advil works in the brain and throughout the rest of the body.

Below is a summary of the key differences

Indications:
Acetaminophen Ibuprofen
Reduce fever Yes Yes
Pain relief Yes Yes
Anti-inflammatory No Yes

Durations of Actions:
Acetaminophen: 4 to 6 hours
Ibuprofen: 6 to 8hours

Side effects:
Acetaminophen Ibuprofen
Upset stomach No Yes
Increased risk of No Yes
stomach bleeding
Kidney injury with No Yes
long term use
Increase blood pressure No Slightly

Safety in Pregnant women:
Acetaminophen: Yes
Ibuprofen: No

Ibuprofen has anti-inflammatory effects that acetaminophen does not have, and its effects last longer. If you need pain and inflammation relief such as joint swelling, muscle sprains, menstrual cramps, Ibuprofen is the better choice. However, it also has more side effects to watch out for. Individuals with existing stomach ulcers, kidney failure, unstable blood pressure, or those currently taking blood thinners should avoid ibuprofen. For a healthy individual, if ibuprofen is taken properly—meaning taken with food and not used for more than 7 days in a row—it should be relatively safe. Acetaminophen is relatively safe, just keep in mind not to exceed the maximum 4gm daily dose, otherwise, liver failure can occur.
One last Pro-tip: If one alone isn’t enough, you can take Tylenol and Advil together — they work differently and can safely be combined for stronger pain relief (when used correctly).
Always follow dosing instructions on the label or ask your pharmacist if you’re unsure.

03/24/2026

乙醯氨酚（acetaminophen, TylenolⓇ） vs. 布洛芬（ibuprofen, AdvilⓇ, MotrinⓇ)
「我應該服用 Tylenol 還是 Advil？」這是社區藥師每天都會被問到的常見問題。
當我們感冒或受傷時，身體會產生一些化學物質，引起發燒、疼痛與發炎。Tylenol（乙醯氨酚）與 Advil（布洛芬）都能抑制這些化學物質的作用，但 Tylenol 只在大腦中發揮作用，而 Advil 則在大腦及全身都能發揮作用。
以下是兩者的重點比較：

適應症（Indications）
Acetaminophen Ibuprofen
退燒 可以 可以
止痛 可以 可以
消炎消腫 不能 可以

服後作用時間（Duration of Action）
Acetaminophen: 4 - 6 小時
Ibuprofen: 6 - 8 小時

副作用（Side Effects）
Acetaminophen Ibuprofen
胃部不適 不會 會
增加胃出血風險 不會 會
長期服用後可能 不會 會
影響腎功能
升高血壓 不會 輕微


孕婦安全性（Safety in Pregnancy）
Acetaminophen: 安全
Ibuprofen: 忌用

布洛芬具有乙醯氨酚沒有的抗發炎效果，而且作用時間更長。如果你需要的是止痛加抗發炎，例如關節腫脹、肌肉扭傷、經痛，布洛芬會是較好的選擇。然而，它也有更多需要注意的副作用。有胃潰瘍、腎功能不佳、血壓不穩定，或正在服用抗凝血藥物的人應避免使用布洛芬。但若是身體健康的，只要正確使用——例如與食物同服，且不要連續使用超過 7 天——布洛芬通常是相對安全的。乙醯氨酚總體上是十分安全, 但要注意一天內不能服用超過4克, 否則會影響肝功能.
最後給大家一個專家建議：如果單服用一種藥效果不佳，可以同時服用泰諾和布洛芬－它們的作用機轉不同，可以安全地合併使用，以增強止痛效果（前提是正確使用）。

請務必遵循藥品標籤上的劑量說明，如有任何疑問，請諮詢藥劑師。

Crystal Pharmacy (est. 2007) is an independently owned pharmacy in Burnaby, B.C, Canada, proudly serving our community in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. Come talk to us today.

02/13/2026

我們將於2月16日（星期一）家庭日休息。 2月17日（星期二）將提早下午4:30關門。
We will be closing on Feb 16 (Monday) for Family day. We will be closing at 4:30pm on Feb 17 (Tuesday)

02/10/2026

National Pharmacare Plan (Diabetes Medications)

Starting March 1, 2026, the National Pharmacare Plan (NP Plan) will provide 100% coverage for certain diabetes medications, menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), and contraceptives to all British Columbia residents enrolled in the BC Health Service (MSP). The funding is provided by the federal government for the National Pharmacare Plan.

We will only focus on diabetes medications here

While most diabetes medications and insulin are 100% fully covered without needing to reach the Pharmacare deductible, some medications still require special approval. Some medications are only partially covered.

The following diabetes medications will be 100% government-subsidized after March 1st, regardless of household income:
Dapagliflozin
Empagliflozin
Glyburide
Gliclazide
Metformin
Insulin***

The following diabetes medications, once special approval authorized, will also be 100% government-subsidized after March 1st, regardless of household income:
Linagliptin
Pioglitazone
Saxagliptin

Note:
- Patients must be BC residents and hold a valid BC Health Card.
- 100% coverage applies only to government-designated generic brands. Patients may need to pay a portion of the cost for non-designated brands.
- The subsidy rules remain unchanged; a maximum of 100 days' supply can be picked up at a time, and the next pick up can only be 86 days after at the earliest.
*** Not all insulins are covered by this program. To find out if the insulin you are using is on the list, please visit the government website below or inquire the pharmacy where you pick up your medication.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/practitioner-professional-resources/pharmacare/plans/national-pharmacare-plan-np

02/10/2026

National Pharmacare Plan 國家藥物保健計劃 （糖尿病藥物）

從2026年3月1日起，National Pharmacare Plan 國家藥物保健計劃（NP計劃）將為所有參加卑詩省醫療服務計劃（MSP）的卑詩省居民提供指定糖尿病藥物、更年期激素療法（MHT）和避孕藥具的100%報銷。聯邦政府為國家藥物保健計劃提供資金支持。

篇幅所限， 本篇將重點討論糖尿病藥物。

雖然大多數糖尿病藥物和胰島素無需醫保自付額即可免費使用，但部分藥物仍需獲得特殊批准。有些藥物只能部分報銷。

以下糖尿病藥物將會不論家庭收入， 3月1日後均100%政府免費補助
Dapagliflozin 達格列淨
Empagliflozin 恩格列淨
Glyburide 格列苯脲
Gliclazide 格列齊特
Metformin 二甲雙胍
胰島素***

以下糖尿病藥物必須經獲得特殊批准後， 亦會不論家庭收入， 3月1日後均100%政府免費補助
Linagliptin 利格列汀
Pioglitazone 吡格列酮
Saxagliptin 沙格列汀

注意：
－ 病者必須是BC省民及持有效BC醫療卡
－ 100%補助只限於政府指定副牌藥， 非指定品牌有可能病者需自己付部分費用
－ 補助規則不變， 每次最多可領100天份， 必須86天後才可再領
*** 不是所有胰島素都在補助範圍內， 如想知道政府會否補助自己在用的胰島素， 可參考以下政府網站， 或向取藥的藥房查詢
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/practitioner-professional-resources/pharmacare/plans/national-pharmacare-plan-np

Crystal Pharmacy (est. 2007) is an independently owned pharmacy in Burnaby, B.C, Canada, proudly serving our community in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. Come talk to us today.

01/29/2026

用iEMR手機程式與我們聯系

1. 從APP STORE找到 iEMR 圖標，下載並安裝到您的手機
2. 安裝完成後開啟應用程式。系統會提示您接受通知以接收藥局更新資訊
3. 藥局識別碼是我們的門市電話號碼：6044332821
病人識別碼是您的 PHN（個人健康號碼）或註冊的手機號碼。
4. 續藥申請：您可以查看您的用藥記錄並直接申請續藥。綠色按鈕通常表示續藥申請已準備好發送至藥房
5. 處方影像傳輸：使用手機相機安全地將新的紙本醫師處方照片直接發送至藥局處理
6. 疫苗接種記錄：查看你在麗晶藥房接種接種過的疫苗記錄，包括特定的接種日期和疫苗類型
7. 健康指標追蹤：追蹤並記錄關鍵健康指標，例如血糖、血壓、心率和體溫，供您的醫生查看。
8. 治療方案和記錄：您可以存取您的醫療狀況和治療方案的電子版，或向您的藥劑師發送安全簡訊和記錄。
9. 家庭資料管理：您可以將聯絡人新增至您的個人資料中，或選擇家庭成員，以便透過同一裝置查看他們的個人資料並管理他們的續藥申請。

01/29/2026

Connect with us using this easy app, iEMR
1. Find this iEMR logo from your app store, download and install onto your mobile phone
2. Open the app once installed. You will be prompted to accept notifications to receive pharmacy updates
Pharmacy Identifier is our store phone number 6044332821
Patient Identifier, is your PHN (Personal Health Number) or registered cell phone number with us.
3. Refill Requests: You can view your medication history and request refills directly. A green button typically indicates a refill is ready to be sent to the pharmacy.
4. Prescription Image Transfer: Use your phone’s camera to securely send a picture of a new paper doctor's prescription directly to the pharmacy for processing.
5. Vaccination Records: View a detailed history of your vaccinations, including specific dates and types administered.
6. Health Vitals Tracking: Track and log critical health metrics such as blood sugar, blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature for your physician to review.
7. Treatment Plans and Notes: Access digital copies of your medical conditions and treatment plans, or send secure text messages and notes to your pharmacist
8. Family Profile Management: You can add contacts to your profile or select family members to view their profiles and manage their refill requests from a single device.

01/12/2026

Taking Medication Correctly

As we welcome 2026, let's make "taking medication correctly" our New Year's resolution. Taking medication correctly is actually an investment in and protection of your health. Here are a few points to share:

Taking medication is not shameful.
Many clients feel ashamed of needing to take medication and secretly skip their doctor's prescriptions. I always like to remind clients that they should be grateful there is medication available to treat or control their condition. For example, a blood test indicates high cholesterol and the doctor decides cholesterol medication needs to be started. Often at the pharmacy counter, with the prescription in hand, the client will ask, "I don’t want to start taking this medication, can I?" Of course you can, but the consequence is that cholesterol will continue to rise, potentially leading to stroke and heart disease. Taking cholesterol medication as directed can help prevent stroke and heart disease, prolonging health and enhancing the quality of life for you and your family.

Take medication as directed.
Some medications for chronic diseases require long-term use to achieve a stable condition, such as blood pressure medication and cholesterol-lowering medication. Some clients like to adjust medication doses on their own. For example, reducing their blood pressure medication dosage on their own whenever blood pressure is normal upon checking, unaware that their blood pressure will slowly rise again after two to three weeks. When blood pressure is back up, then briefly increase back to the doctor's prescribed dosage, reducing the dosage again once blood pressure returns to normal. Fluctuating dosages like this will never achieve the intention of blood pressure medication to stabilize blood pressure.

Do not cut medication in half without consulting a pharmacist
If you are taking long-acting or enteric-coated tablets, do not cut them in half without consulting a pharmacist. Long-acting tablets have a special design on their coating. Upon swallowing, a fixed amount of medication will be released every hour in the stomach/intestinal system. Cutting them in half causes damage to this design, resulting in the entire dose within the tablet to be released within one to two hours, causing a surge of an excessively high dosage (the same applies to medicated patches) which may lead to toxicity. Certain medications can be destroyed under acidic medium; hence enteric coatings ensure that the tablet is dissolved and released only upon reaching the intestine, not in the stomach. Cutting the tablet in half will cause it to be destroyed by stomach acid.

Choose the right time to take medication.
If you need to take multiple medications, consult with your pharmacist to choose a, appropriate time when you are less likely to forget and to avoid drug interactions.

Next time you pick up your medication, consult your pharmacist to check if your medication habits and methods are correct.

01/12/2026

正確服藥

當我們迎接2026年來臨， 不妨把『正確服藥』作為新一年的願望. 『正確服藥』其實是對自己健康的投資及保障. 筆者與大家分享以下幾點:

服藥不是一件丟臉的事
很多客人總是覺得需要服藥很丟臉, 偷偷不服醫生開的藥. 筆者總會提醒客人, 應該慶幸有藥可服用來治療或控制病情, 好比驗血報告顯示膽固醇高, 醫生開了處方, 來到藥房櫃檯前問”我可不可以不服藥?” 當然可以, 不過後果是膽固醇繼續升高然後引發中風及心臟病. 藥物可幫助預防中風及心臟病, 能延續健康及與家人兒孫的生活質素,

依指示服藥
部分慢性病的藥需長期服用才會達到穩定病情的效果， 如血壓藥， 降膽固醇藥等。 發現血壓正常便自我減服血壓藥劑量， 卻不知兩至三星期後血壓慢慢回升。當發現血壓變高時短暫服回醫生處方的劑量， 血壓正常後又馬上減劑量，劑量忽高忽低，結果是根本達不到穩定血壓的目的。

不要隨便把藥切開一半
如你正在服用長效配方(long-acting, extended-release, slow-release)， 腸溶配方藥片(enteric coated), 不要隨便把藥切開一半。長效配方藥片的外殼有特別設計，吞服後藥片在腸胃內每小時會釋放一定的藥量，切開一半後等於破壞這特別設計，整片藥的劑量便會於一至兩小時內全數釋放，令劑量變得過高（藥貼也是同一道理）。有些藥物會被胃酸破壞，腸溶配方確保藥片在到達胃部時才會被融化釋放。 切開一半後藥物便會被胃酸破壞。

選定服藥的時間
如需要服用多種藥物， 不妨與藥劑師商量選定令自己不會容易忘記而不會有藥物相沖的服藥時。

下次取藥時不妨請教藥劑師, 諮詢一下自己服藥的觀念及方法是否正確