Govt Expands Options for Contraception, Endometriosis, IVF
The Government is delivering even more choice for Australian women with new and amended listings for contraception, endometriosis and IVF on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Drospirenone (Slinda®), which will be listed on the PBS on May 1 for the first time as a new contraceptive option.
Slinda is a progestogen-only-pill and may be used by women who cannot take contraceptives with estrogens.
Over 100,000 Australian women are expected to benefit from this listing each year, who without subsidy, might pay more than $250 for a year of treatment.
Roughly one in seven Australian women suffer from endometriosis.
They’ll now have access to a new medicine with Relugolix with estradiol and with norethisterone (Ryeqo®) to be listed on the PBS on May 1.
Ryeqo is a new endometriosis treatment option for patients who have experienced moderate to severe pain and cannot get adequate relief from other hormonal treatments and painkillers.
Around 8,500 Australian women are expected to benefit from this listing each year, who without subsidy, might pay more than $2,700 for a year of treatment.
Australian women undergoing IVF (in vitro fertilisation) will receive earlier and more affordable access to a form of fertility treatment, with the Albanese Government funding its use from the earliest stage of a woman’s IVF journey.
From 1 April, women with specific low levels of reproductive hormones will have earlier access to a combination therapy known as Pergoveris® (follitropin alfa with lutropin alfa) through the PBS. This was previously only funded in later IVF cycles.
Additionally, double the maximum number of Pergoveris pens (four instead of two) per script will now be listed by the Albanese Government. Over 6,000 women access Pergoveris® on the PBS each year, many of whom require four pens to complete a cycle.
These women will now pay just one patient co-payment for up to four pens as needed for their IVF cycle. Without the PBS subsidy, four Pergoveris pens would cost more than $3,500.
These listings build on Labor’s record $573.3 million in Women’s health that delivers more choice, lower costs and better health care for women.
Since July 2022, the Albanese Government has approved extra funding for 319 new and amended listings on the PBS.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
“The Government is focused on delivering Australian women more choice, lower costs and better health care options.
“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.
“These listings could save women and their families thousands of dollars across their lifetimes.”
Quotes attributable to Minister Gallagher:
“We know that women often have complex – and expensive – health needs across different stages of their lives.
“This announcement is all about making treatment cheaper and easier, so women can focus on getting the care they need.
“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.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister Kearney:
“Right across Australia I hear from women how their pain and symptoms are dismissed. Today, I hope when they hear that the Albanese Government is improving access to and affordability to more endometriosis, contraceptive and IVF medications, they feel listened to and believed.
“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.”
https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-mark-butler-mp/media/government-delivering-even-more-choice-for-womens-contraception-endometriosis-and-ivf-journeys?language=en