Canada: Difference between revisions

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In Canada, you will find a wide range of health care options. The health care system varies by provinces (there are thirteen provinces total), though there is also some federal oversight under the Canada Health Act. Generally speaking, you can find many contraceptive options available in hospitals and clinics, including condoms, pills, patches, shots, etc. While contraceptives are not subsidized by the Canadian health care system for all people, you can find lower-cost pills and IUDs (including insertion) at public sexual health clinics. You can purchase emergency contraception ("the morning after pill") at pharmacies or obtain it at sexual health clinics. There are no formal age restrictions but pharmacists can refuse to dispense EC to people who do not seem "mature."<ref>[https://www.cecinfo.org/country-by-country-information/status-availability-database/countries/canada/ EC Status and Availability: Canada]</ref> There are many public sexual health clinics that offer STI tests. While some only cover HIV, other clinics can test for a range of STIs, especially if you make an appointment rather than dropping in. There is an HPV vaccination program in place. You can access Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). Regarding abortions, they are legal and there are no formal restrictions. If you have a valid health insurance card, medical and surgical abortions are free. If you're not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can expect to pay $300-$900 for the procedure, but there are some financial assistance resources available.  

* You can get the '''Hepatitis B vaccine''' at many sexual health clinics.

* If you want '''Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)''', you should contact a hospital emergency department or their doctor for treatment. Generally, no appointment is required since patients should be counseled and treated ASAP.

* If you want '''Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)''', it is available in Canada. In February 2016, Health Canada approved Truvada as prevention, and generic versions of TDF/FTC are approved for prevention. There are an estimated 900-1,100 people on PrEP in Canada, as of 2018.<ref>[http://www.prepwatch.org/canada/ PrEPWatch: Canada]</ref> According to ACT Toronto, "Any doctor can prescribe PrEP. If you have a family doctor that you feel comfortable with, that is a good place to start. There is ongoing testing and medical care required with PrEP, so accessing PrEP through a doctor that you already have a connection with is ideal."<ref>[http://www.actoronto.org/PrEP/how PrEP - How do I get it?]</ref> CATIE has compiled extensive resources on PrEP for Canadians, which you can check out [http://www.catie.ca/en/prep here]. For updates on PrEP access in Canada, [https://www.prepwatch.org/canada/ PrEPWatch] is also a great resource.