AccessBC

Press Release - March 27, 2025
 

AccessBC Campaign celebrates second anniversary of free prescription contraception in BC

 

The AccessBC Campaign is celebrating the second anniversary of free prescription contraception in British Columbia. As national pharmacare, which includes coverage of prescription contraception, rolls out across the country, AccessBC says that B.C.’s success shows the importance of making prescription contraception free for everyone.

On April 1, 2023, B.C. became the first jurisdiction in Canada to make prescription contraception free. The 2023 provincial budget dedicated $119 million over three years for a program that covers prescription contraception options, including most oral pills, injections, hormonal rings, copper and hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs), implants, and Plan B (emergency contraception, also known as the morning after pill). B.C.’s program has since been followed by the passage of national pharmacare legislation, which commits to making prescription contraception and diabetes medication free for all Canadians.

 

Prior to the implementation of this policy in B.C., cost was the most significant barrier preventing British Columbians from accessing prescription contraception. Ensuring that prescription contraception costs are fully covered has helped hundreds of thousands of people across B.C. access this life-saving and life-changing medicine. In jurisdictions where these costs are not yet covered, a hormonal IUD can cost up to $500, contraceptive implant $350, oral contraceptive pills cost at least $240 per year, and hormonal injections as much as $180 per year. These costs fall disproportionately on people who can become pregnant. 

 

In addition to helping prevent unintended pregnancies, people are prescribed contraceptive medications for a wide range of reasons, including treating chronic pelvic pain, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, heavy menstrual bleeding, irregular cycles, hormonal acne, cyclical mood changes, and gender-affirming care.

 

The success of this policy is clear from the significant increase in prescription contraception use in B.C. since its implementation. Between April 2023 and December 2024, the Ministry of Health reports that 306,000 people were able to access free prescription contraception (including emergency contraception). UBC researchers examining the policy’s impact found that in the first 15 months of the program, the number of people in B.C. using any form of prescription contraception increased by 10%. This research also found that of the 80,200 people who accessed long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) through the program, at least 11,400 of them would not have been able to access these contraceptives had the government not made prescription contraception free. 

 

AccessBC’s push for prescription contraception in British Columbia has inspired a movement across the country. Grassroots campaigns are active in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. The first phase of the national pharmacare plan builds on the success of AccessBC’s campaign, and will provide universal, single-payer coverage for a number of contraceptives and diabetes medications and supplies; pharmacare agreements in B.C. and Manitoba have also committed to covering hormone replacement therapy (also referred to as menopause hormone therapy). So far, Prince Edward Island and the Yukon have joined Manitoba and B.C. in signing agreements to implement the national pharmacare plan. AccessBC is working to see the policy rolled out across Canada and to continue expanding access to contraception and sexual and reproductive health services in BC.

 

“Today, we are celebrating B.C.’s leadership on reproductive justice. Free prescription contraception has helped transform lives and improve the health and well-being of hundreds of thousands of British Columbians, and I am so proud that our province has become a beacon of hope for reproductive justice,” said Teale Phelps Bondaroff, AccessBC Campaign chair and co-founder. “"The increased use of prescription contraception after the policy took effect makes it clear – cost was a major barrier preventing access to this life-saving and life-changing medicine. By removing this barrier, we empower people to access the medicine they need to exercise reproductive autonomy.”

 

“At a time when other jurisdictions in North America are rolling back reproductive rights, we’ve seen first-hand the incredible impact that comes from making sexual and reproductive healthcare a priority,” said Devon Black, AccessBC Campaign national liaison and co-founder. “Access to contraception doesn’t just help people choose when and if to have children – it also increases equity in educational attainment and income, improves infant and maternal health outcomes, and decreases the likelihood of poverty among both parents and children. I’m thrilled to be able to celebrate two groundbreaking years of free prescription contraception in B.C., and I’m looking forward to seeing free prescription contraception become a reality for all Canadians.”

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“In the past two years, this policy has provided life-saving care to thousands of people who can now make decisions about their bodily autonomy and long-term health without worrying about cost. While we celebrate the incredible impact of BC’s leadership on universal contraception coverage, there is still plenty of progress to be made in expanding access to reproductive and sexual healthcare,” said Sophie Choong, AccessBC Campaign Marketing Director.

 

"BC's groundbreaking leadership in making prescription contraception free has become a catalyst for change across Canada. In just two years, we've demonstrated how government policy can transform reproductive healthcare access, proving that bodily autonomy isn't a privilege reserved for some, but a fundamental right for all. Our success shows other provinces that reproductive justice is both achievable and essential,” said Sara Sunderji, AccessBC Campaign Researcher.

 

“BC’s leadership on reproductive justice is crucial because it sets a precedent for equitable healthcare. It ensures that individuals have the autonomy to make informed choices about their reproductive health while addressing systemic barriers that have previously limited access to essential services,” said Parveer Pandher, AccessBC Campaign volunteer.

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"British Columbia’s leadership in reproductive justice is transforming lives and has sparked positive change across the country. No-cost prescription contraception empowers patients with choice, control, and better health – because financial barriers should never stand in the way of reproductive care. As an OBGYN resident physician, I see the impact of no-cost contraception every day: greater autonomy, improved health outcomes, and a future where everyone has the power to make the best decisions for themselves," said Dr. Ruth Habte, AccessBC Campaign Organizer and UBC OBGYN Resident Physician.