​This is very exciting news, as this will increase accessibility for women across BC. Mifegymiso, an alternative to surgical abortion, is a combination of the drugs mifepristone and misoprostol. It can be used to terminate pregnancies at an early stage – up to nine weeks from the start of the last menstrual period.

"It's a game-changer, particularly in BC. with our geography. Women from all over the province are sometimes travelling many hours to get to a community where they can have a surgical abortion," says Dr. Wendy Norman, principal investigator at Women's Health Research Institute.

Eliminating the cost of prescription removes a barrier to accessing this drug and gives women another safe, legal and available option. This can help decrease stress that may be associated with the difficult and personal decision to terminate a pregnancy. All women across the province will now have equal access to the drug, where those living in rural and remote areas who couldn’t previously afford Mifegymiso, are able to choose an alternative to surgical abortion that would require travelling away from their community for the procedure. 

BC Women’s is pleased with this announcement, as this will impact the health of women living in BC. Women will be able to make decisions based on their health care needs and personal choice, determining what is best for their own situation rather than about one’s ability to pay for treatment.

Resources for abortion and contraception.