The Albanese government has unveiled a significant boost to women’s healthcare, announcing that a contraceptive pill, an endometriosis treatment, and an IVF drug will become more affordable under new funding measures. These medications will be added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), making them accessible at a lower cost for thousands of Australian women.
From May 1, the contraceptive pill Slinda, a progestogen-only option, and the endometriosis treatment Ryeqo will be listed on the PBS. This decision follows recommendations from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Council (PBAC). Without the subsidy, women could pay over $250 annually for Slinda, but the PBS listing is expected to benefit more than 100,000 women each year.
According to the government, latest listings are in addition to a half a billion dollar package of women’s health measures announced in February.
Minister Butler said Slinda was the third contraceptive pill to be listed on the PBS in the last few months, following the addition of the Yaz and Yasmin pills.
“These investments really reflect our determination to keep improving options for women who face a whole lot of significant lifetime costs in health, not because they’re sick always, but often because they are women.”
Shadow Minister for Health Anne Ruston welcomed the listing but said the sooner would have been better.
“It is absolutely critical that Australian women have affordable access to the medications and treatments they need, especially right now as they face record high healthcare costs,” she said. “Prioritising women’s health remains a top priority of the Coalition, as we remain strongly committed to our longstanding policy of listing all PBAC (Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee) recommended medicines on the PBS, and in a timely manner.”
A spokesperson for Minister Butler explained that the precise cost to the budget for the PBS listings cannot be disclosed, as the details are confidential and involve agreements with the pharmaceutical companies producing the medications.
