If you’re experiencing perimenopause symptoms, you likely have a lot on your plate. You might be sleeping badly, have brain fog and the dreaded hot flushes. While menopausal hormone therapy might help, regular trips to the pharmacy to refill prescriptions is the last thing you need.
That’s why the federal government’s latest prescription change could be great news for many Australians experiencing stable ongoing health conditions. Instead of your prescription only being for a 30 days’ supply, now almost 200 medications are eligible for 60-day prescriptions on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. This means you can get twice the amount of medication on a single prescription.
This may also save you money. If you're eligible and have a Medicare card, you could save up to $189.60 per medicine per year. If you have a concession card, you may save up to $46.20 per year.
You may reduce the need for both doctor and pharmacy trips, saving you valuable time. This may be especially helpful for women in remote areas.
With this change, you’ll have more time to spend prioritising healthy habits that help manage menopause symptoms, including a balanced diet, regular exercise and good sleep hygiene. Your treatment may be more consistent when there is less chance you may forget that your prescription is running out. No more hormone dips messing up your progress.
We know that menopause is no walk in the park for the 80% of women who experience symptoms. Michelle Bridges struggled with brain fog. Illustrator Kaz Cooke thought she was “going bonkers”. Artist Jo Caminiti couldn’t sleep. TV personality Shelly Horton’s mood plunged, and she started crying every day.
Most women would agree that anything that makes managing menopause symptoms a bit easier, is valuable.
Am I eligible for longer prescriptions?
To be eligible you must:
- live with a stable ongoing health condition
- have discussed your medication with your doctor
- have received a new 60-day prescription
Even if the change doesn’t apply to you, chances are it applies to several people you know, so spread the word.
What medications are included?
The prescription change is now in its second stage of the rollout, and currently includes medications for some of Australian women’s most common conditions, such as breast cancer, diabetes, arthritis and menopause. More medications will be added at the final stage, in September 2024.
Even better news, some of the medicines available on 60-day prescriptions can have up to five repeats, meaning this may provide up to 12 months’ supply of medicine.
Read the full list of eligible medications.
How can this change treatment of chronic conditions?
Nearly half of Australians of all ages (46%) had one or more chronic conditions, and almost one in five (18.6%) had two or more chronic conditions. For example, menopause and high cholesterol.
Jeanette, 50, from Melbourne, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2019. She’s on three medications which have turned around her debilitating joint pain and fatigue.
She estimates she spends $1,100 per year on her medicines. She also goes to the doctor every three months for a check up and to renew her prescriptions, costing her more than $180 per visit.
With her doctor’s approval, Jeanette is able to get two months’ worth of her medicines on a single prescription. For Jeanette, this resulted in her halving her medicine’s cost and potentially reducing the number of doctor visits she needs.
“Everything that can be done to minimise the requirements from the patient is a really helpful thing,” Jeanette says.
“The less time I can spend dealing with my condition, the better. It means I can enjoy my social and work life without having to constantly think about my joints. It seems like a small thing, but when you’re managing a chronic condition, or when you’re feeling unwell, it all has a big impact on your quality of life.”
Ask your doctor if a 60-day prescription is right for you. Learn more, here.
This article is sponsored by the Australian Government, Canberra.
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