Contraceptives to be two-thirds cheaper for hundreds of thousands of Aussie women after new pills, device added to PBS

Up to 300,000 women in Australia are set to benefit from several contraceptives being made part of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from November 1.

Speaking on Today, Health Minister Mark Butler announced three different contraceptive pills would be added to the scheme, alongside a device called the NuvaRing.

The NuvaRing releases a combination of estrogen and progestrogen, preventing ovulation and allowing women to use it on a monthly cycle rather than daily like some oral contraceptives.

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The device used to cost $270 a year, but Butler claims the cost will now plummet to $31.60 per script, with concession holders being able to access the contraceptive device for as little as $7.70 per script.

For most Aussie women, this will make it two-thirds cheaper, with some being able to save up to 88 per cent.

Three other pills will also be added to the scheme, as part of a wide-ranging plan to make birth control more affordable.

"Literally 300,000 women every year will save hundreds and hundreds of dollars," Butler told Today.

"With three new pills that hundreds of thousands of women were using because they're really highly effective and don't have side effects that some of the older medicines have."

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Butler also announced on January 1 next year, contraceptives would cost no more than $25 per script.

"Australia's women will have access to all of their contraceptive choices for no more than $100 a year," he said.

"And that's as it should be, this is essential care for hundreds of thousands of Australians."

To support these measures, a new 40 per cent bulk billing incentive has been announced, which the government believes will incentivise doctors to provide long-acting contraception services to women.

"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," Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said.

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