Australian women will soon be able to access medications relating to contraception, endometriosis and IVF on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), potentially saving them thousands of dollars a year.
From May 1, medications such as Slinda (the progesterone-only contraceptive pill used by women who cannot take contraceptives with estrogens), Ryeqo (a new endometriosis treatment for patients who have experienced moderate to severe pain and cannot get adequate relief from other hormonal treatments and painkillers) and Pergoveris (an IVF-related medication) will now be listed via the PBS – which means that their costs will now be much lower, thanks to the government subsidisation.
“These listings covering IVF, endometriosis and contraception will improve the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of Australian women. Women have asked government to take their health care seriously, and we have listened,” Health Minister Mark Butler said on Sunday.
“These listings covering IVF, endometriosis and contraception will improve the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of Australian women.”
Speaking to Weekend Sunrise, Butler insisted the announcement was not about getting more women to vote for him at the upcoming election, but was about strengthening Medicare and lowering the cost of medicine.
“Women were telling us for years that they’re just not being listened to, particularly for things that pretty much every woman goes through, having to deal with reproductive health choices, contraception, perimenopause, menopause,” he said.
“There had been nothing new to support them for decades. This government has delivered and we’re committed to delivering more like I’m announcing today.”
Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said the announcement is about “making treatment cheaper and easier, so women can focus on getting the care they need.”
“We know that women often have complex – and expensive – health needs across different stages of their lives,” she said. “For too long, women have struggled to get support in health systems that were not built for them – the Albanese Labor Government is changing that.”
“We recently delivered over half a billion dollars for women’s healthcare, and today we are continuing that work of delivering women more choice, lower costs, and better health care options.”
Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney said that he hopes the announcement will lead Australian women to feel listened to and believed.
“Right across Australia I hear from women how their pain and symptoms are dismissed,” she said. “For some women one of their greatest dreams is becoming a mother, and to face the double burden of fertility issues and financial barriers to IVF can be heartbreaking. We want to change that. The Albanese Labor Government is not slowing down on women’s health. No matter what stage of life you’re at, your healthcare is front and centre.”
Nationals leader David Littleproud said Coalition would “back the move” as part of its own $580m package for women’s health and Deputy Liberal Leader, Sussan Ley, said she was “pleased” about the news.
The government estimates that over 100,000 Australian women will benefit from the new listing each year — women who without subsidy, might pay more than $250 for a year of treatment.
Around 8,500 Australian women are also expected to benefit from the listing of Relugolix with estradiol and with norethisterone (Ryeqo®). Without subsidy, a woman can expect to pay more than $2,700 for a year of treatment.
The listing of Ryeqo comes just months after Visanne (dienogest, a drug that shrinks and suppresses the growth of abnormal tissue outside the uterus) was listed on the PBS.
At the time, gynaecologist and endometriosis expert Dr Neisha Wratten said the listing would likely impact between 400,000 and 500,000 Australian women in a positive manner.
Yesterday, the government also announced that IVF patients will be able to access combination therapy Pergoveris (follitropin alfa with lutropin alfa) through the PBS. Previously, the medication was only funded in later IVF cycles. From April 1, women with specific low levels of reproductive hormones will have earlier access to the therapy, which it estimates will benefit over 6,000 women a year — many whom need four dosages to complete a cycle. Without the PBS subsidy, four Pergoveris pens can cost over $3,500.
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