B.C. marks International Women’s Day with contraceptive funding

B.C. is making Canadian history on International Women’s Day by improving access to contraceptives.

Announced today and starting on April 1, prescribed birth control will now be accessible and free for residents of B.C. and marking a first for the country.

With studies showing that 40% of pregnancies in the province are unplanned, Dr. Ruth Habte of AccessBC and current OBGYN at UBC, says that the policy empowers people to exert their reproductive rights, promotes gender equality, and improves health outcomes.

Over 60 methods of birth control will be covered under BC PharmaCare, including oral contraceptives, copper and hormonal IUDs, hormonal injections, and even the morning-after pill.

Implementing the coverage will cost the province a total of $119 million over the next three years with the first year adding up to $39.4 million and increasing to $46.1 million in year two.

This new measure is adding to the October 2022 action to expand pharmacist practices by making pharmacists capable of prescribing birth control.