Prescriber reminder over oral contraceptive PBS changes

Prescribers are being reminded that patients taking oral contraceptives just listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) will need a new prescription to access the newly subsidised price.
 
Drosperinone with ethinylestradiol (sold as Yaz and Yasmin) became available on the PBS from 1 March.
 
In response, the Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC) has issued a reminder that patients who take the contraceptives via a private prescription and wish to access the new subsidised price ‘may be unaware that they require a new prescription from their prescriber’.
 
‘Patients will need to get a new prescription to receive the PBS price,’ the PBS alert states.
 
‘Current prescriptions for these medicines could still be dispensed, but they are not eligible for the PBS discounted rates.
 
‘We appreciate your help to ensure patients are aware of this.’
 
This PBS listing follows advice from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), which recommended adding the pills to provide women with more choice.
 
Their addition was announced last month as part of a $573.3 million women’s health funding package from the Government.
 
The package also included larger Medicare payments and more bulk billing for intrauterine devices and birth control implants, a new Medicare rebate for menopause health assessments, and PBS listings for menopausal hormone therapies.
 
The announcement signals the first time in more than three decades that new oral contraceptive pills have been added to the PBS.

Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Sexual Health Medicine Dr Sara Whitburn said the change will improve access and reduce cost for patients.
 
‘GPs need to consider how to provide new scripts that fits with their business model,’ Dr Whitburn told newsGP.
 
‘Telehealth, short appointments, online script requests can be ways to support the change.
 
‘It can also be a chance to have a full consult review and check in with patients.’
 
According to the DoHAC, the move will benefit an estimated 50,000 women each year, bringing costs down from $380 annually to $126.40, or $30.80 to those with a concession card.
 
The DoHAC also said one in every three Australian women aged 18–39 who use the combined oral contraceptive pill is paying for a non-PBS listed pill.
 
‘Work is also underway to progress the listing of other contraceptive pills,’ it said.
 
Log in below to join the conversation.

PBS Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme reproductive health sexual health Yasmin Yaz