File photo: courtesy of CBC
The drug Mifegymiso, an alternative to surgical abortion, has been approved to be fully covered by the B.C. government.
The announcement came Tuesday, full coverage will take effect on Jan. 15.
The pill can be used to terminate pregnancies only at an early stage, up to nine weeks from the start of the last menstrual period.
READ MORE: Victoria women’s clinic calls for abortion pill coverage in B.C.
The province says those under the current Fair PharmaCare plan may have faced out-of-pocket expenses of up to $300 to access the drug.
“Removing the cost barrier helps ensure that individuals can access this safe, legal and available option if they choose.” said the province in a release.
Individuals will be able to access the drug with a valid prescription. All pharmacies will be able to order the drug.
The province is also encouraging health-care professionals who are going to prescribe or dispense Mifegymiso to complete an education program.
Mifegymiso has been under review for public coverage since April 2017. The drug has been somewhat covered since July.
The drug is considered the gold standard in medical termination of pregnancy and in provinces where it’s covered, close to 50 per cent of all women chose it over a surgical abortion.
Julian Kolsut
