HEALTH Minister Mark Butler announced this morning that Organon’s NuvaRing (etonogestrel with ethinylestradiol contraceptive) vaginal ring three-pack will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 01 Nov 2025, providing an additional affordable contraceptive option for Australian women.

Before the listing, women might have paid more than $270 a year for NuvaRing – now they will pay less than half that, with each three-month pack costing $31.60 per script or $7.70 for concession holders.

From 01 Jan 2026, under the government’s policy, that cost will reduce again to a maximum of just $25 per script.

Also announced were changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule that will make long-acting reversible contraceptives like IUDs and birth control implants more affordable.

“Australia has one of the lowest uptake rates in the developed world of long-acting contraceptives, partly due to access and affordability,” Minister Butler said.

“These changes to the MBS and expanded options though the PBS will remove cost and access barriers so that more women can choose the contraceptive option that works best for them,” he added.

The initiatives are part of the government’s $573.3 million women’s health package announced earlier this year (PD 10 Feb), which was designed to improve access and affordability of care for women.

Dr Sara Whitburn, Medical Director of Sexual Health Victoria, welcomed the addition of NuvaRing to the PBS.

“Expanding the range of affordable contraceptive options by adding NuvaRing to the PBS helps increase contraceptive choice by reducing the cost barriers that may prevent women from finding the type of contraception that works best for them,” said Dr Whitburn. KB

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