A move which many Island women have desired for years seems to have been made quietly.

BF&M are now offering 75 percent coverage on oral contraceptives, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

The news took rivals Argus by surprise. CEO Gerald Simons said: ?We will look at what the reaction to it is.?

He said traditionally insurance companies offered coverage for hardship on sickness and illness expenses.

?Birth control has traditionally fallen outside of that concern.?

At least one customer was pleasantly surprised when she filled her prescription this month. ?I was so excited,? she said.

It is nice to see the importance of contraceptives to women?s health finally recognised, she added.