PBS listings of menopausal and contraceptive therapies featured in pre-election women’s health package

New menopause treatments and oral contraceptives will be subsidised under Labor’s $573 million pre-election announcement in women’s health.

From March 1, Besins Healthcare Australia’s menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) treatments – Estrogel Pro (estradiol/micronised progesterone), Estrogel (estradiol), and Prometrium (micronised progesterone) – will be available under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). This marks the first time in over two decades that a new MHT will be subsidised. Also, the addition of Bayer’s Yaz and Yasmin mark the first PBS listing for new oral contraceptive pills in more than 30 years.

Senator Larissa Waters, Greens Leader in the Senate and spokesperson on Women, spearheaded the Parliamentary Inquiry into Menopause and Perimenopause, highlighting the lack of federal policy addressing its impact on women’s health, work, and quality of life.

“I initiated this inquiry because even though more than half of the population experience menopause and perimenopause, there is little federal policy to address its impacts on women’s health, work, and quality of life,” Senator Waters said. “The Committee heard horror stories from women trying to obtain a diagnosis and affordable treatment, as well as women feeling they had to resign or work to lower hours or duties because of terrible symptoms and unsympathetic workplaces.”

She further added, “The Committee also recommended that the cost and shortages of MHT be addressed, so that the safest and most effective treatments are available and accessible to all, not just the wealthy. Women shouldn’t have to fork out hundreds of dollars each month to get the treatment they need, or be forced onto inappropriate treatments like Valium, simply because it’s cheaper than MHT.”

The PBS listing comes at a critical time, as the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has warned that supply shortages of Sandoz and Juno’s transdermal HRT patches will persist until at least June 2025.

Professor Rod Baber AM, Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the University of Sydney and past president of both the Australasian and International Menopause Societies, underscored the importance of accessible treatment options.

“While menopause is a normal and natural part of ageing, around 25% of women will experience severe or prolonged symptoms that may require treatment. For most patients, this should take place in primary care, with referral an option for complicated cases,” he said.

Professor Baber also highlighted the benefits of the newly listed medicines, stating, “Micronised progesterone may offer safety benefits, such as a lower breast cancer risk, over older synthetic progestogens, so is often the preferred choice of clinicians.”

Menopause is costing Australian women a collective $15.2 billion in foregone income and super for every year of early retirement, according to the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees.

Senator Katy Gallagher, Minister for Women and Minister for Finance, emphasised the broader benefits of keeping women in the workforce.

“Increasing the participation rate of people aged 55 and over by just 5% could add $48 billion to our economy and see us benefit from critical skills and expertise. This represents an enormous opportunity – not just for women, but for all Australians,” she said.

Besins’ Managing Director, Geoff Blundell, called the PBS listing a significant milestone.

“It is enormously encouraging to see a key recommendation from the Senate inquiry into menopause being put into action, with these modern menopausal hormone therapies becoming readily accessible for all Australian women,” Blundell said.

The newly listed therapies, Estrogel and Prometrium, are classified as body-identical hormones – pharmaceutical-grade MHTs that are structurally identical to those naturally produced by the body. These are distinct from ‘bio-identical’ compounded hormones, which lack regulatory oversight and do not meet the same safety and efficacy standards.

The PBS listings align with the broader federal government’s package for women’s health, a move welcomed by Australian Medical Association (AMA) President and GP, Dr Danielle McMullen.

“Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are the safest and most effective form of contraception, and we are pleased to see the federal government commit to a boost in Medicare funding that will provide greater access to intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants, particularly through general practice,” Dr McMullen said.

The AMA and Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) also praised the government’s commitment to further reforms, including a new Medicare rebate item for menopause health assessments starting July 1. Additionally, new funding will expand the number of endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics across the country, integrating menopause and perimenopause care into multidisciplinary treatment models.

Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator Anne Ruston, confirmed that the Coalition will match the women’s health package.

“This package builds on the important work [of the national Women’s Health Strategy 2020 – 2030] we started in government and it is in line with our strong commitment to supporting better women’s health outcomes in Australia,” Shadow Minister Ruston said. “I want to acknowledge Nicolle Flint who absolutely spearheaded the push through the last parliament to secure our historic endometriosis package, which forms the foundation of this additional funding.”

While the PBS listings take effect in March, the broader reforms will be implemented post-election.

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