Canada’s government wants to see free birth control pills

Canada’s government wants to make contraception free for women, the country’s Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland announced at a press conference on Saturday.

According to the proposal, which was first announced in February, the state will bear the costs of the most used contraceptives for the country’s nine million women of reproductive age, including birth control pills and so-called “morning after” pills.

What the new system would cost and when it can start to be rolled out is unclear.

The proposal, which would also mean free medicine for diabetics, must be approved by the country’s provinces, which are responsible for healthcare. Alberta and Quebec have already announced that they will not be part of the reform.

According to a recent OECD report, Canada is the member country that spends the most per capita on pharmaceuticals after Japan, Germany and the United States.