Crystal Pharmacy 麗晶藥房

05/14/2026

We will be closing on May 18th, Monday (Victoria Day). Sorry for the inconvenience
我們會於五月十八日, 星期一 (維多利亞日)休息. 不便之處, 敬請原諒

05/11/2026

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