AS OF yesterday, the daily progestogen tablet Visanne (dienogest) is now available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the treatment of endometriosis.
It is the first medicine subsidy for endometriosis in more than three decades, and will significantly reduce the price of medication that previously cost women around $800 per year.
It will now cost around $380, or $90 for pension and concession card holders.
The chronic condition affects an estimated one in nine Australian women and results in more than 40,000 hospital admissions per year.
Hundreds of thousands of other women suffer substantive pain and systemic symptoms, with around half of all affected women experiencing infertility.
"Medical treatment alone can significantly improve quality of life, including resulting in increased participation in school, work and social activities," said Professor Jason Abbott, an obstetrician and gynaecologist from the University of NSW.
"Even if surgery is performed, post-operative medical suppression has been documented to be the best method of reducing symptom recurrence," he said, adding that "all women with endometriosis deserve effective and well-tolerated long-term and now affordable treatment options like Visanne".
The drug, which was developed specifically for endometriosis, works by preventing ovulation and menstruation, in turn shrinking and suppressing the growth of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus and in other parts of the body.
The listing is the latest government measure to address the needs of women living with endometriosis, including new items added to the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) that ensure extended consultations are covered (PD 10 May). KB
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