A pharmacy in Ascot-Corner, Quebec, has stopped making profits on the sale of menstrual products to improve local accessibility [1].
This initiative addresses menstrual poverty, a condition where individuals lack the financial means to afford basic sanitary products. By selling these items at cost, the pharmacy aims to reduce the financial burden on women and people who menstruate in the region [1, 3].
The pharmacy announced the change on April 29, 2024 [2]. According to the establishment, the practice of selling these products at cost will continue until the end of 2024 [1, 2].
This local effort is part of a broader provincial trend inspired by a movement that began in Shawinigan [1, 3]. The scale of the movement has grown as more pharmacists choose to prioritize public health over profit margins for these specific goods.
Reports on the number of participating pharmacies vary. One source said approximately 15 pharmacies across Quebec have adopted this pricing model [1]. However, another report said that 27 pharmacies had joined the movement two weeks after its initial expansion [3].
The decision to eliminate markups on menstrual products reflects a growing recognition of these items as essential health needs rather than luxury consumer goods. The Ascot-Corner pharmacy is now one of the multiple sites across the province attempting to bridge the gap in healthcare accessibility for low-income residents [1, 3].
“The pharmacy decided to no longer make a profit on the sale of menstrual products.”
The shift toward at-cost pricing for menstrual products by private pharmacies represents a grassroots response to systemic menstrual poverty. While these initiatives are often temporary or localized, they put pressure on provincial governments to consider broader policy changes, such as subsidies or the inclusion of menstrual products in public health coverage.
