Weeks after BC became the first state to make prescription birth control free, some people are surprised that they still have to pay for a prescription or switch to an equivalent drug. increase.
Weeks after BC became the first state to make prescription birth control free, some people are surprised that they still have to pay for a prescription or switch to an equivalent drug. increase.
The ministry’s free contraceptive program, which began on April 1, covers the pill, copper and hormonal intrauterine devices, injections, implants and the morning after pill.
However, oral contraceptives covered by the program are generally generic versions, with partial or no coverage of more expensive brand names.
Ashley Jensen encountered this problem when she went to refill her contraceptive prescription and discovered that the brand she was taking was not covered by her new PharmaCare plan. Instead, she had to pay about $80 for what it would cost to fill her three-month prescription.
She wasn’t sure if she could switch to another version without side effects. may be difficult.
Birth control pills generally contain two components, estrogen and progesterone, and the two come in many different formulations and dosages, said Dr. Joshua Greggain, president of Doctors of BC. . You’ll be able to find the same formulations of active ingredients in generic versions covered by state lists, he said.
According to Greg Gaine, switching to a tablet of the same formula shouldn’t cause any side effects, but you should talk to your health care provider to assess your personal medical history.
“I think there are a lot of contraceptive options covered by this new program,” he said.
A Ministry of Health spokesman said in a statement that there are more than 60 commonly used contraceptives with full coverage.
Although the list does not include vaginal rings and skin patches, BC PharmaCare will consider safety, effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and the economic impact on the state as it reviews decisions about these options. The ministry said it would consider
Vaginal rings and skin patches have been previously reviewed and determined to have no additional efficacy or safety benefits and to be significantly more expensive than alternatives, the ministry said.
“However, we know that some people may prefer these delivery mechanisms, and PharmaCare will consider this.”
A complete list of contraceptives covered by the new program is available at the following state websites:gov.bc.ca/contraceptives.
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