The province of British Columbia announced on Tuesday that it would distribute free contraceptives for the first time in Canada, as women’s rights face restrictions in the neighboring United States.

Anyone with health insurance will be able to submit a prescription for the free contraceptives from April 1, said the province’s finance minister, Katrine Conroy.

Also read: Everything you need to know when you start taking birth control pills

“When it comes down to it, having full control over your reproductive rights is top of the list. Too often those rights come under attack,” Conroy told the provincial legislature.

The Minister added that in British Columbia, “the time to pass these costs on to women, trans and non-binary people is running out.”

Contraception methods covered include most hormonal pills, implants, injections and intrauterine devices, as well as the morning after pill.

The provincial government estimates that people who use oral contraceptives could save C$10,000 (US$7,353) over their lifetime under the new rules.

Similar measures have been adopted in European countries such as France, the United Kingdom and Germany.

How effective are birth control pills?

The better the birth control pill is used, the greater its effectiveness, which can be up to 98%. The main reason why this method of contraception does not work properly is not taking it every day, as well as having recurrent vomiting or diarrhea for more than 48 hours.

See also: Other planning methods you can use for contraceptive shortages

If you can’t take the pills as directed, the best thing to do while you’re sexually active is to use other barrier methods like condoms. This is considered the best and also the most effective in preventing diseases.