Reproductive Justice Advocates Call for Expansive Coverage of Contraceptives in National Pharmacare Plan

Press Release - February 23, 2024

Reproductive justice advocates from across Canada are calling on the federal government to include all forms of prescription contraception in a national pharmacare plan.

The announcement that the federal Liberal government and the NDP have come to an agreement on pharmacare and that the plan will include coverage of contraception is being celebrated by reproductive justice advocates across Canada. These advocates are urging the government to ensure that the plan covers as wide a range of contraceptive options as possible.

"This is a historic development for Canadians that further enshrines access to healthcare as a basic right. We are thrilled at the inclusion of contraception as a priority item, and hope that in the final legislation, contraception coverage will be as comprehensive and inclusive as possible," said Devon Black, co-founder and national liaison for AccessBC, the campaign that successfully advocated for free prescription contraception in British Columbia.

“There are a wide range of contraceptives that are currently available and widely used. These include pills, hormonal and copper intrauterine devices (IUDs), implants, injections, rings, patches, and emergency contraception, also known as ‘Plan B,” said Marisa Levesque, AccessBC social media manager and UBC Family Medicine resident doctor. “It is important that a national pharmacare plan cover all of these types of contraception.”

“When it comes to contraception, we know it is not one size fits all,” said Kari Ellen Graham, pharmacist and founder of Access Now Nova Scotia. “Different types of contraception work for different bodies and lifestyles. We want to ensure that a national pharmacare plan covers as many types of contraception as possible.”

“It can sometimes be difficult to find a perfect fit with a contraceptive method. The availability of different contraceptive methods are important as pregnancy capable people have different needs throughout their lifespan,” said Helen Pymar, founder of Birth Control Access Manitoba. “Cost shouldn’t be the reason for limited choice. National pharmacare programs should start with choices that save the healthcare system money such as contraception.”

“We are so excited to see the federal government include universal contraception as part of the universal pharmacare program” said Liz Thompson, Advocacy Lead for Cover ContraceptiON. “Contraception is an evidence-based treatment for health conditions including uterine cancer, abnormal uterine bleeding, fibroids, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, acne, and more. These conditions afflict thousands of Canadians each year and are extremely treatable through contraception. Thousands of folks will be able to access it now due to this program.”

“Hormonal treatment, such as contraception pill, patch, ring, injection, implant or medicated IUD have other benefits than preventing unintended pregnancies. They are all associated with lighter menstrual bleeding – preventing anemia, decreasing uterine cramping and decreasing overall pelvic pain associated with endometriosis,” said Carol-Anne Vallée, Obstetrician and Gynecologist affiliated to the University of British Columbia.

“I am elated that prescription contraception is being included in the national pharmacare plan. This will improve maternal and infant health outcomes, increase equality, make life more affordable, and save governments millions of dollars,” said Teale Phelps Bondaroff, Campaign Chair and co-founder of AccessBC. “At a time when we see reproductive rights being rolled back around the world, I am so proud that Canada has stood up and become a beacon of hope for reproductive justice. No one should face unnecessary barriers when trying to access contraception.”