As of 1 November, a hormone-releasing vaginal ring has been added to three new versions of the Pill, dropping costs significantly.
Another contraceptive is being added to the PBS, the fourth addition under this federal Labor government.
A three-pack of NuvaRing, a vaginal ring containing etonogestrel and ethinylestradiol, will be available on the PBS from this Saturday, 1 November.
NuvaRing currently costs more than $270 a year, but each three-month script will cost the standard $31.60 (or $7.70 concession) for November and December.
On 1 January, the price will drop again, to $25 per script.
Sexual and Reproductive Health Australia welcomed the PBS listing of NuvaRing. CEO Daile Kelleher thanked the federal government for supporting greater equity in sexual and reproductive health care.
“Contraception is essential healthcare, not a luxury item. Everyone deserves the right to access affordable contraceptive options and to choose the method that best fits their life, without barriers such as cost,” she said.
Federal health minister Mark Butler said the price for other long-acting contraceptives, such as IUDs and implants, will also be slashed. Women currently pay several hundred dollars for these contraceptives.
“They’ll get that fully bulk billed from Saturday as well,” he said.
“For years essential treatments were left off the PBS, and women paid the price. We’ve listened, we’ve acted, and we’ll keep working to make sure women have access to the care they need,” Minister Butler said.
Free training for practitioners
The nearly $800 million which was invested in the government’s women’s health package will also cover the cost of IUD insertion and removal training to upskill practitioners and improve access for patients.
Australia has one of the lowest uptake rates of long-acting contraceptives in the developed world, Mr Butler explained.
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“We think that’s partly because of cost, but also because it’s hard to find a health professional who can do that,” he said.
Minister for women, Senator Katy Gallagher said:
“This is about making sure women have genuine choice when it comes to their reproductive health, choice that isn’t limited by cost or access.
“For too long, women have had to navigate unnecessary barriers to the care they need.”
Mr Butler said he believed the government’s job was to make as many choices available as possible, make them affordable and give women better access to those choices.
“I think our women’s health package ticks all three of those boxes,” he said.
