Visanne will officially become the first endometriosis treatment medication to be subsidised by the federal government in 30 years, more than halving its cost.
The life-changing drug Visanne, also known by its generic title Dienogest, will see its initial cost reduced from more than $800 a year, to $380, which accounts for a course of daily tablets for those affected by the symptoms of endometriosis. That cost shrinks further, down to $90 for pension and concession card holders.
Announced by Health Minister Mark Butler, the welcome addition to the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) has been introduced with immediate effect. Meaning endometriosis treatment just became more accessible for over one-million impacted Australian women.
“This is a condition that impacts more than a million women — maybe one in seven women and teenage girls, and for too long too many women have been made to suffer in silence,” he said.
“It’s responsible for as many as 40,000 hospitalisations every year, and that number has increased by about 40 per cent just in the last decade — this is a condition becoming more widespread and more debilitating.
“For too long, women living with endometriosis have had to struggle in silence.
“Women are suffering unnecessarily. They’re having their experiences dismissed, being called hysterical and accused of drug shopping. Women’s pain is real and it’s time we stop telling women to just suck it up.
There is still no cure for the debilitating, chronic disease that affects so many women. And even after surgery, patients often still require medication to help manage their symptoms.
In addition to the PBS announcement, two new Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items will be introduced to subsidise longer gynaecologist consultations and follow-up consultations, increasing the subsidised amount from $95.60 to $169.60 for a minimum of 45-minutes. The changes to the schedule are to be introduced from July 2025.
GP and women’s health expert Associate Professor Magda Simonis told newsGP that she welcomes the government’s decision.
“It directly addresses one of the issues around management of endometriosis as a chronic disease, and the health-cost gap that living with this is associated with,” Professor Simonis said.
“The financial disadvantage people with endometriosis face is real, and the PBS has a role to play in making oral contraceptive pills and long-acting reversible contraceptives affordable and accessible.”
What Is Visanne?
Described as a “wonder drug” by gynaecologist and endometriosis expert Dr Neisha Wratten, Visanne is used for the treatment of painful symptoms associated with endometrial lesions, or displaced tissue of the lining of the womb.
The oral contraceptive drug contains a progestogen hormone called dienogest, that when taken daily can lead to the shrinking of the endometrial tissue and a reduction in pelvic pain.
“It’s been great in my practice in that we are seeing … fewer and fewer patients needing to have repeat surgery and until we had something as well tolerated as Visanne, often the only recourse for a lot of gynaecologists was to do repeat surgery,” Dr Wratten said.
“I started seeing women coming back for a three-month review and reporting that their symptoms had either completely disappeared or been reduced by over 50%, with a further reduction in the next three-month interval.
“It was literally miraculous – I still pinch myself sometimes about it, I still pinch myself when the women come back and say how wonderful they feel.”
As with any progestogen or hormone-based medication, the treatment is not recommended for everyone, and while it may indeed be a “wonder drug” for many, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a one-size-fits all solution.
While the news comes is welcomed by most, it is still a long way off addressing chronic diseases such as endometriosis and adenomyosis.
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