Your Voices in Action: Greater Access to Contraception, Endometriosis Treatment, and IVF

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

16 March 2025– Australians will soon have greater access to affordable contraception, endometriosis treatment, and IVF, thanks to new and amended Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listings announced by the Albanese Labor Government.

This announcement is a direct response to the voices of our community. In QENDO’s last Community Snapshot, we called for greater access to affordable endometriosis treatments and contraception—including these very medications—because we know the impact that delayed, inaccessible, and unaffordable treatment has on those living with endometriosis.

This is action on endometriosis.

Your voices have been heard.

QENDO is committed to taking community concerns directly to policy, and today, we have evidence of your voices in action.

From May 1, the progestogen-only pill Slinda® (Drospirenone) will be listed on the PBS for the first time, providing a more affordable contraceptive option for those who cannot take estrogen-based contraceptives. Over 100,000 Australians each year will benefit from this listing, reducing the cost from $250 per year to an affordable PBS co-payment.

For those living with endometriosis, the listing of Ryeqo® (Relugolix with estradiol and norethisterone acetate) on the PBS from May 1 means more people with moderate to severe endometriosis pain will have access to treatment when other hormonal options and pain medications have not provided relief. Without PBS support, Ryeqo could cost over $2,700 per year—now, it will be more accessible and affordable.

Why This Matters

“For many women†+ and those assigned female at birth, endometriosis is not just period pain—it’s chronic, debilitating pain that impacts work, relationships, and everyday life,” said Jessica Taylor, CEO of QENDO.

Research shows that:

• One in four people with endometriosis has lost a job because of their condition.

• 70% have been forced to take unpaid leave to manage their symptoms.

• Nearly 50% feel unsupported in the workplace.

• One in three has been denied a promotion due to the ongoing impact of endometriosis.

“These figures highlight why affordable access to a range of treatment options is critical—so people can have a better chance of managing their symptoms and staying engaged in work, family, and community life,” Ms. Taylor said.

Additionally, Australians undergoing IVF (in vitro fertilisation) will now have earlier and more affordable access to fertility treatment. From April 1, the PBS will cover Pergoveris® (Follitropin alfa with Lutropin alfa) at an earlier stage in IVF cycles, and the maximum number of Pergoveris pens per script will double. This will reduce out-of-pocket costs for many individuals struggling with infertility, saving thousands of dollars per cycle.

Your Voices Are Driving Change

This is what progress looks like when community voices, advocacy, and government action align.

These PBS listings are part of the Albanese Government’s $573.3 million investment in women’s+ health, ensuring more choice, lower costs, and better access to treatment. Since July 2022, the Government has approved 319 new and amended PBS listings, demonstrating a commitment to addressing healthcare inequities.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler, said:

“These listings will improve the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of Australians, saving them and their families thousands of dollars over their lifetimes.”

Minister for Finance, Katy Gallagher, added:

“For too long, women+ have struggled to get support in health systems that were not built for them. The Albanese Labor Government is changing that by making treatment cheaper and easier.”

At QENDO, we will continue to push for further action, increased access, and better recognition of the true burden of endometriosis and pelvic pain. This is a win for the community, but there is more work to be done.

For more information about endometriosis and available support services, visit www.qendo.org.au.

Media Contact:

JESS TAYLOR

info@qendo.org.au

0434106341 

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† QENDO acknowledges that not all people with endometriosis identify as women. The term ‘women†+’ is used inclusively, recognizing that LGBTIQA+ individuals, including non-binary and gender-diverse people, may also experience endometriosis.