Premium Content:

Health department has no plans to find replacement hormone for trans men

The federal Health Department has no capacity to seek out a replacement hormone treatment for transgender men after popular drug Primoteston was removed from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

- Advertisement -

The Department of Health, through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), previously announced that from February 1st they will no longer subsidise Primoteston, the most common form of medical transition available for transgender men and non-binary people assigned female at birth.

Speaking at a Senate Estimates Hearing Penny Shakespeare from the Department of Health answered a series of questions from The Greens Senator Janet Rice about the removal of the medication from the scheme.

Shakespeare confirmed that the medication had been removed from the scheme at the manufacturers request.

Senator Rice asked if the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) would proactively seek out a similar medication to be added to the PBS to replace Primoteston.

“Any company that wishes to bring forward another brand, or a new medicine to treat a condition can apply at any time to do so.” Shakespeare said.

The Health department official said it was not their role to encourage brands to leave their products on the PBS if they wished to remove them.

Senator Rice asked if the department would encourage or facilitate a replacement medication being added to the PBS.

Shakespeare said people who wanted to use Primoteston may still be able to buy it privately at the non-subsidised price, but it was up to manufacturers to approach the government about listing their medications of the PBS scheme.

Graeme Watson


Support OUTinPerth

Thanks for reading OUTinPerth. We can only create LGBTIQA+ focused media with your help.

If you can help support our work, please consider assisting us through a one-off contribution to our GoFundMe campaign, or a regular contribution through our Patreon appeal.

Become a Supporter→     Make a contribution→ 

Latest

Read ‘Lie with Me’ and head to the Queer Book Club in July

This short novel from French author Philippe Besson is the book of the month.

Inquest finds The Vivienne died of cardio-respiratory arrest due to ketamine use

The drag star died in January after taking the drug for recreational purposes.

Police arrest more than 50 people ahead of Istanbul Pride parade

Homosexuality is not illegal in Türkiye, but public displays are not tolerated by the government.

The Tommyhawks are coming back for just one night

The much loved local band made the announcement of a reunion exciting fans.

Newsletter

Don't miss

Read ‘Lie with Me’ and head to the Queer Book Club in July

This short novel from French author Philippe Besson is the book of the month.

Inquest finds The Vivienne died of cardio-respiratory arrest due to ketamine use

The drag star died in January after taking the drug for recreational purposes.

Police arrest more than 50 people ahead of Istanbul Pride parade

Homosexuality is not illegal in Türkiye, but public displays are not tolerated by the government.

The Tommyhawks are coming back for just one night

The much loved local band made the announcement of a reunion exciting fans.

NATO chief denies he called Trump “Daddy”

NATO Secretary General Mark Ruttte says he never called the US President "Daddy".

Read ‘Lie with Me’ and head to the Queer Book Club in July

This short novel from French author Philippe Besson is the book of the month.

Inquest finds The Vivienne died of cardio-respiratory arrest due to ketamine use

The drag star died in January after taking the drug for recreational purposes.

Police arrest more than 50 people ahead of Istanbul Pride parade

Homosexuality is not illegal in Türkiye, but public displays are not tolerated by the government.