“A massive win for patients”: PBAC lifts restrictions on 14 commonly prescribed antidepressants

Australians living with mental health conditions could soon have more affordable access to commonly prescribed antidepressants, following a decision by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) to remove prescribing restrictions on 14 medications under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) has welcomed the decision as an important step towards improving equitable access to evidence-based mental health treatment.

RANZCP President Dr Astha Tomar said the decision recognised a longstanding concern raised by psychiatrists about unnecessary barriers to accessing clinically appropriate medications.

“For too long, people have faced additional costs for medications that are appropriate for their mental health condition, simply because their diagnosis falls outside a narrow PBS restriction,” Dr Tomar said.

“This is a major win for patients, their families and carers, and an important step towards making mental health treatment more equitable and affordable.

“Access to essential mental health treatment should be determined by clinical need, not by a person’s diagnosis or capacity to pay.”

The 14 medications are citalopram, clomipramine, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, mianserin, mirtazapine, moclobemide, nortriptyline, paroxetine, sertraline and venlafaxine.

Until now, PBS subsidies for these medications have been restricted to particular indications, despite many having established clinical uses across a broader range of mental health conditions.

For example, venlafaxine has been PBS-funded for major depressive disorder, despite also being indicated for generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder and panic disorder.

These restrictions have meant that some patients have needed private prescriptions for clinically appropriate treatment, creating additional financial barriers and, in some cases, placing treatment out of reach.

“People experiencing mental illness are often already facing significant social and economic disadvantage. Requiring them to pay more for clinically appropriate treatment can compound that disadvantage,” Dr Tomar said.

“Effective treatment can improve quality of life, support recovery and, for some people, be lifesaving. Removing unnecessary financial barriers is therefore not only good health policy, but an important matter of fairness.

“While medication is only one component of comprehensive mental health care, ensuring affordable access to appropriate treatment is fundamental to a responsive and equitable mental health system.

“We welcome this decision and look forward to its timely implementation so that patients and their families can benefit.” 

ENQUIRIES: For more information, or to arrange an interview, call on +61 437 315 911 or email media@ranzcp.org.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists is a membership organisation that prepares medical specialists in the field of psychiatry, supports and enhances clinical practice, advocates for people affected by mental illness and advises governments and other groups on mental health care. For information about our work, our members or our history, visit www.ranzcp.org.

In Australia: If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au or the Suicide Callback Service on 1300 659 467 or www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au.

In New Zealand: If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline NZ on 0800 543 354 or www.lifeline.org.nz or the Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0508 828 865 or www.lifeline.org.nz/suicide-prevention.