Australians are set to have a greater choice of cheaper birth control pills and menopause medications within weeks, as the government pledged more Medicare rebates in a pre-election women’s health boost.
New medication listings on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) will take effect from March 1, while other promises in the $573.3 million package will happen after the upcoming election if Labor secures another term.
They include more pelvic pain clinics and greater Medicare rebates for both menopause health assessments and long-term contraceptive insertion, which can cost hundreds of dollars.
The federal government has also swung its support behind over-the-counter contraceptive pills and antibiotics for women with uncomplicated urinary tract infections, committing $100 million for two trials.
Several states already allow patients to access those medicines directly from pharmacists without a prescription despite opposition from doctors’ groups.
An estimated one in three Australian women who use the combined oral contraceptive pill between the ages of 18 and 39 take medication that isn’t available under the PBS so the listing will save them thousands, according to the federal government.
The two contraceptive pills to be added, Yaz and Yasmin, are used by 50,000 women.
They can cost $380 a year but that would drop to $126.40 or $30.80 with a concession card.
New medication listings on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme will take effect from March 1. Pictured: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
Menopausal hormone therapies set to be listed, Estrogel, Prometrium and Estrogel Pro, can cost between $400 and $670 a year.
It marked the first time these types of medications had been added to the PBS in decades which showed the system had not been working for women, Health Minister Mark Butler said.
‘It’s about time Australian women had more choice, lower costs and better health care,’ he said.
‘Today’s announcement is a tribute to all the Australian women who have worked so hard, for so long, to have their voices heard and acknowledged.’
Assistant Health Minister and former nurse Ged Kearney said it would ‘shift the dial on an entrenched culture of medical misogyny’.
‘We’re talking about alleviating pain, reducing delays in diagnosis, avoiding unplanned pregnancies, and transforming menopause care,’ she said.
The move has been welcomed by accomplished mountaineer Allie Pepper, who considered giving up her distinguished career when she first experienced overwhelming menopause symptoms at age 45.
‘At times, climbing Mount Everest felt easier than overcoming the symptoms of menopause,’ she said.
‘These therapies make women feel normal again.
‘They are essential and need to be available and affordable when women need relief from the symptoms of menopause.’
