Reproductive Justice Advocates Celebrate Free Prescription Contraception in Manitoba

Press Release - August 22, 2024

Reproductive justice advocates across Canada are celebrating the Government of Manitoba announcement that Manitoba will become the second Canadian province to offer universal no-cost prescription contraception.

At a press conference on August 22, Uzoma Asagwara, Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care, announced that starting October 1, 2024, the Manitoba Pharmacare Program will cover the full cost of around 60 commonly used forms of prescription, including the pill, intrauterine devices (IUDs), hormone injections and more.

The cost of prescription contraception can be significant, and falls disproportionately on women and people who can get pregnant. A hormonal IUD can cost $500, an implant $350, oral contraceptive pills cost at least $240 per year, and hormone injections as much as $180 per year. In addition to helping prevent unplanned pregnancies, people take contraception for a wide range of reasons, including treating chronic gynaecological conditions like ovarian cysts and endometriosis, menstrual regulation, hormonal acne, and gender affirming care.

Manitoba will become the second province in Canada to make prescription contraception free, following British Columbia, which rolled out the policy in April 2023. Studies have found that free prescription contraception is a revenue positive policy. Dr. Wendy V. Norman, of the Contraception & Abortion Research Team (CART), Contraception Cost-effectiveness modelling project team at the University of British Columbia, recently calculated that the policy would save the BC healthcare system ~$27 million per year and the Ontario healthcare system ~$76.9 million per year.

Birth Control Access Manitoba has been advocating for universal, no-cost coverage for prescription contraception in Manitoba since 2021, when it was started by Dr. Helen Pymar and Dr. Sabrina Lee.

“Today's announcement is a victory for gender equality and reproductive justice in Manitoba. This is going to have enormous impacts for patients and health care providers across the province,” said Dr. Helen Pymar, Co-Founder of Birth Control Access Manitoba. “We’re elated that Manitoba has made reproductive justice a priority and will become the second province in Canada to make prescription contraception free.”

“This is an extraordinary step towards improved health and greater equity in Manitoba. Removing the barrier of cost when accessing various contraceptive methods will without a doubt allow Manitobans to exert more agency over their reproductive health,” said Dr. Sabrina Lee, Co-Founder of Birth Control Access Manitoba. “I look very forward to being able to make clinical recommendations in my gynecological practice that do not have to be influenced by the burden of cost.”

"This is fantastic news for Manitoba and folks who have experienced barriers to this fundamental right for far too long. I am glad to see the government support the reproductive health of Manitobans," said Kennadie Chaudhary, former AccessBC Campaign Coordinator and Birth Control Access Manitoba Campaign Volunteer.

“Free prescription contraception is a fantastic policy that improves health outcomes, makes life more affordable, increases equality, and saves provincial governments millions,” said Teale Phelps Bondaroff, Chair and Co-Founder of the AccessBC, the grassroots campaign that successfully advocated for the policy in British Columbia. “There is growing momentum for free prescription contraception across Canada. I hope that this announcement helps inspire other provinces to tear down barriers preventing people from accessing prescription contraception and increase access to this life-saving and life-changing medicine.”

At the moment, Bill C-64, An Act respecting pharmacare, is currently in the Senate. If adopted, this Bill would help support the roll out of universal no-cost prescription contraception across Canada. The AccessBC Campaign is currently running a letter writing campaign urging Senators to adopt the Bill quickly and without amendment in the hopes that the Bill can be passed in time for provinces to adopt the policy prior to the next federal election.

Minister Asagwara, from the Government of Manitoba press release:

“Prescription birth control is a right, not a luxury… Money should never be a barrier to accessing reproductive health care. Starting Oct. 1, Manitobans will be able to get some of the most common and effective birth control without having to worry about the cost. This will save people hundreds of dollars and it will ensure you are fully in control of your body and your choices.”

Background

The Government of Manitoba Press Release can be found here.

For more detailed information, read AccessBC’s briefing paper.

A copy of Dr. Wendy V. Norman’s estimates relating to the cost-effectiveness of universal no-cost prescription contraception can be found here.:

Birth Control Access Manitoba

Birth Control Access Manitoba is a grassroots province-wide campaign that advocates for universal no-cost prescription contraception in Manitoba. It was founded in 2021 and has flourished with support from AccessBC. As the second province in Canada to have universal no-cost contraception, we will support other Canadian provinces and territories in their campaigns for reproductive justice. You can find this campaign at: https://twitter.com/birthcontrolMB