More than 610,000 Australian women have saved money, since essential women's health medications were listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in March last year thanks to the Albanese Government.
New contraceptive pills, the contraceptive vaginal ring, three hormone therapies for menopause and a medicine for endometriosis were among the medicines for women which became available at subsidised PBS prices for the first time last year.
Women suffering from endometriosis had the greatest individual benefit. More than 6,000 women accessed endometriosis treatment at PBS prices, for total savings of over $4 million or more than $668 each on average.
Latest data shows that in the nine months to 30 November, women have filled more than 1.7 million prescriptions for these medicines, and saved nearly $62 million.
Around 340,000 women obtained 1.25 million scripts for menopausal hormone therapy, with savings of almost $38.3 million compared to the non-PBS prices.
More than 275,200 women obtained oral contraceptives newly listed in the PBS in March, with a total savings of almost $19.5 million.
Savings have now increased further as the Australian Government reduces the maximum out-of-pocket cost for PBS prescription medicines from $31.60 to $25. The concessional co-payment will remain at $7.70.
These PBS listings were part of the Australian Government's landmark $792.9 million women's health package announced in the 2025-26 Budget.
The package also included new Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items for menopause and perimenopause health assessments, which began on 1 July 2025. In the first five months, over 61,000 women have benefited from the addition of these services to the MBS.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
"All Australian women deserve to have their health issues taken seriously and given the priority they deserve.
"Our government is doing that, with a focus on giving women more choice, lower costs and better access to services and treatments.
"Hundreds of thousands of Australian women are already accessing the benefits."
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister White:
"The Albanese Government's Women's Health Package is delivering more choice, lower costs and better access to healthcare for women and girls.
"Women told us they were left hundreds of dollars out of pocket for basic contraceptive scripts and couldn't access support for menopause and endometriosis, so we've changed that.
"And from 1 January, women are now saving even more, with $25 PBS scripts.
"These results show our record investment in women's health is working, with thousands of women saving money and getting better access to the care they need and deserve."
