Pharmacists Prescribing Contraceptives
Overview
Effective August 4, 2026, eligible Manitobans can visit a participating community pharmacy for a prescription contraceptive assessment. When appropriate, a trained pharmacist may prescribe eligible birth control products or administer injectable contraceptives.
This service is intended to improve access to eligible prescription contraceptive products by allowing Manitobans to receive contraceptive assessment and prescribing services at participating community pharmacies. It builds on Manitoba’s no-cost coverage for eligible prescription contraceptives through the Manitoba Enhanced Pharmacare Program (MEPP).
Eligible birth control products are covered at no cost for eligible Manitoba residents through MEPP. Additional information on eligible contraceptive products under MEPP is available on the Manitoba Enhanced Pharmacare Program page.
Services offered and appointment availability may vary by location. Please call or visit a pharmacy location to inquire about service and appointment availability.
On This Page:
Eligibility
This service is available for Manitoba residents with a valid Manitoba Health Registration Card who want to speak with a participating pharmacist about contraception.
You may be able to use this service if you:
- want to start, continue or change an eligible prescription contraceptive method;
- need a prescription for an eligible contraceptive;
- want to discuss contraceptive options with a pharmacist; or
- need information about emergency contraception.
A pharmacist may not be able to prescribe in every situation. If your health history, symptoms, medication needs or preferred contraceptive method requires care outside the pharmacist’s scope of practice, the pharmacist may refer you to another healthcare provider.
How it works
1. What can pharmacists assess, prescribe and/or administer?
A pharmacist who has completed the required training may assess and prescribe eligible prescription contraceptive products.
In Manitoba, this includes:
- oral contraceptive pills
- hormonal patches;
- vaginal rings;
- intramuscular contraceptive injections
Pharmacists may also administer intramuscular contraceptive injections, where appropriate.
Some contraceptives, including intrauterine devices (IUDs) and hormonal implants, require insertion by a trained health-care provider in an appropriate clinical setting. The pharmacist may refer you to the appropriate healthcare provider for this service.
2. How to access the service
Not all pharmacies may offer these services. Services and appointment availability may vary by pharmacy. Manitobans are encouraged to contact their local pharmacy to ask whether contraceptive assessment and prescribing services are available.
When you go to the pharmacy, bring:
- your Manitoba Health card;
- a list of medications you take, including prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs and supplements;
- information about any allergies or health conditions; and
- the name of your regular health-care provider, if you have one.
The pharmacist will review your information, discuss contraceptive options with you, and determine whether prescribing is appropriate. If a contraceptive is prescribed, the pharmacist will explain how to use it safely and what to do if you have questions or side effects.
3. What happens during a pharmacist assessment?
During the assessment, the pharmacist will ask about your health history, current medications, risk factors and contraceptive preferences. The pharmacist will discuss contraceptive options with you and determine whether prescribing is appropriate. In some cases, the pharmacist may recommend that you see another health-care provider for further assessment or care.
4. Coverage or cost
All Manitobans with an active Manitoba Health card are eligible for:
- Coverage of contraceptive assessments limited to a maximum of three (3) pharmacist assessments per client per benefit year (April 1 – March 31), whether an assessment results in a prescription or not.
- Coverage of intramuscular (IM) injection contraceptive administration limited to a maximum of four (4) pharmacist administrations per client per benefit year (April 1 – March 31).
- Coverage of emergency contraceptive products limited to a maximum of three (3) products per benefit year (April 1 – March 31). Eligible residents should not be charged any other fees for emergency contraceptive services.
Clients who are within these yearly limits should not be charged out-of-pocket costs for the covered pharmacist assessment or covered intramuscular contraceptive injection administration. There is no deductible or co-payment for these covered services.
Eligible birth control products are covered at no cost for eligible Manitoba residents through the Manitoba Enhanced Pharmacare Program and other provincial drug programs, where applicable.
FAQs for People Living in Manitoba
Contraceptive products (also known as birth control) are medications or devices used to prevent pregnancy. These include products such as oral contraceptive pills, emergency contraceptive pills, hormonal injections, rings, patches, implants, and intrauterine devices (IUDs).
All Manitobans with an active Manitoba Health card are eligible for:
- Coverage of contraceptive assessments, limited to a maximum of three (3) pharmacist assessments per client per benefit year (April 1 – March 31), whether an assessment results in a prescription or not.
- Coverage of intramuscular (IM) injection contraceptive administration, limited to a maximum of four (4) pharmacist administrations per client per benefit year (April 1 – March 31).
- Coverage of three (3) emergency contraceptive products per benefit year. Eligible residents should not be charged any other fees for emergency contraceptive services.
No. Manitoba Health provides coverage for up to three pharmacist prescription contraceptive assessments per client per benefit year (April 1 – March 31).
No. Manitoba Health provides coverage for up to four pharmacist administrations of intramuscular (IM) injection per client per benefit year (April 1 – March 31).
Any additional assessments in this period would not be covered by Manitoba Health. Clients may need to pay out-of-pocket costs to the pharmacy for additional assessments.
Pharmacies should ensure that enough refills are provided so clients should not have any out-of-pocket expenses.
Only pharmacists who have completed the training program approved by the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba (CPhM) can assess and prescribe for eligible prescription contraceptive products.
Pharmacists must also complete the required training to administer intramuscular injections before they can administer injectable contraceptives.
Pharmacists providing this service must use their professional judgment and follow all applicable practice directions and guidance.
A list of pharmacists who have completed this training is available through the Pharmacist Public Register on the CPhM website. Please contact pharmacies directly to ensure that a pharmacist who can offer this service is available when you are seeking an assessment.
Please contact your pharmacy regarding wait-times or appointments for assessments.
No. Not all pharmacist assessments for prescription contraceptives will result in a prescription. In some cases, your pharmacist may instead refer you to your primary care provider (e.g., family doctor, nurse practitioner, walk-in clinic) for further assessment and treatment.
If the pharmacist conducting the assessment determines a prescription is appropriate, clients may choose to fill the prescription at any pharmacy in Manitoba, including the same pharmacy where the assessment was conducted.
Any prescription arising from the assessment may be covered according to the client's usual health insurance plan (e.g., Pharmacare, private insurance). Please discuss cost and coverage considerations with your pharmacist during the assessment.
This document is available in alternate formats upon request.
For alternate format requests, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator:
Accessibility Coordinator
Department Services
Department of Health, Seniors, and Long-Term Care
1033 300 Carlton Street
Winnipeg, MB R3B 3M9
Email: Department.Services@gov.mb.ca
