FSANZ and former health minister call for unified legislation and equitable access to fertility services

Pharma News: Australia stands at a pivotal point to establish a national plan for fertility care, including assisted reproductive technology (ART) and in vitro fertilisation (IVF), according to a new review by the Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ).

Over the last 60 years, Australia’s birth rate has dropped dramatically, plummeting from 3.5 births per woman in 1960 to just 1.63 in 2022. This decline mirrors not only a drop in overall fertility but also a rising median age for mothers, increasing from 25.4 in 1971 to 31.9 in 2022.

The review, co-authored by former Liberal Health Minister Greg Hunt and embryologist Dr Rachel Swift, was unveiled at FSANZ 2024, the annual conference of fertility and IVF experts in Perth.

Dr Petra Wale, President of FSANZ, emphasised the urgency of unifying the fragmented legislative frameworks currently governing ART and IVF across Australia.

“While Australia already has one of the world’s safest and most successful IVF sectors, we will continue to advocate for improved access and outcomes.

“This roadmap not only provides more certainty for patients, but will strengthen a child’s fundamental right to know their biological origins by securely housing and providing access to genetic information,” said Dr Wale.

The review presents 34 key recommendations, including the development of uniform laws for ART and IVF across States, Territories, and the Commonwealth, and the creation of a National Fertility Plan. Currently, over 40 separate pieces of legislation regulate these practices across the country, a situation the FSANZ is pushing to resolve.

FSANZ is urging the National Council of Health Ministers to take action by implementing the roadmap, ensuring that Australians benefit from consistent legislation and equitable access to fertility services.

“For a range of reasons, sometimes starting a family is not straightforward, and this can be a confusing and distressing time,” said Professor Hunt. “This review highlights how governments from across Australia can unite to support individuals and couples through this process. I urge all respective parties to work together to build this roadmap forward.”

One of the review’s most critical recommendations is the establishment of a single National Register and genetic bank for donors and donor-conceived individuals. This centralised system would safeguard and track essential genetic information, ensuring that both medical professionals and individuals are made aware of any hereditary conditions.

Recent concerns over the security of state-specific data have added urgency to the implementation of these recommendations. With the risk of sensitive data being lost or compromised, timely action is crucial.

Australia and New Zealand \boast some of the safest and most successful IVF sectors globally, with over 20,058 babies born through ART, including IVF, in 2022. The majority of these births were healthy and full-term singletons.

As the median age of mothers continues to rise and technologies like genetic carrier screening advance, the number of children born through ART and IVF is expected to surge over the next decade.

Dr Swift stated, “Australia’s ART and IVF sectors play a vital role in helping so many in our community realise their wishes to become parents.

“We can take action now to ensure the system is well-placed to continue to help those who seek support in this journey well into the future, and I urge all involved to act on these recommendations.”

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