Health Advocate Applauds Federal Budget 2024 in providing costing on a National Pharmacare Plan; a milestone in universal free access to contraceptives
April 16 2024 - 8:45PM
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC)
applauds the federal government’s announcement of $1.5 billion in
funding over five years to support the launch of the National
Pharmacare Plan which will include universal access to
contraceptives in Budget 2024. By removing the financial barriers
to all contraceptives options, nine million women in Canada will
soon have the tools to better control their futures and as a
result, improve economic prosperity for the country.
This represents a generational shift when it comes to women’s
health care in Canada. Access to contraception is not only a matter
of reproductive rights but also a fundamental aspect of public
health and equity.
As the national voice on women’s health care, the SOGC has long
been advocating for coverage for a full range of contraceptives,
including: the pill; the patch; the ring; IUDs; the shot and the
implant. By ensuring that all options are available, women will no
longer make this decision based on their income.
We urge the government to work with provinces and territories
urgently to begin negotiations because it is never soon enough for
those in difficult economic circumstances trying to make decisions
to pay the rent, or to pay for their prescription. And we also call
on the provinces and territories to ensure that all contraceptive
options are included in their final negotiations. Time is of the
essence here in Canada, but also when reflecting on the threats to
women’s health care globally.
Additionally, we were pleased to learn that to make essential
menstrual products more accessible, the government is continuing
the work of the Menstrual Equity Fund pilot project, which helps
community organizations ensure women have the menstrual products
they need. We look forward to hearing more in the 2024 Fall
Economic Statement.
“The SOGC is pleased with today’s funding commitments in Budget
2024- an important milestone toward universal free access to
contraception to all Canadian women. This policy will help ensure
that women are empowered with the tools to better control their
futures including family planning, educational pursuits and
workforce entry and re-entry. We know that income and address
should never be barriers to a woman’s ability to control her own
future!” – Dr. Diane Francoeur, Chief Executive Officer of the
Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
Media Inquiries:
Kelsey MacDonaldDirector of Communications and
Public Affairs Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of
Canada kmacdonald@sogc.com613-730-4192 x 228