Striking the world and being declared a pandemic in March 2020, the effects of Covid-19 have trickled into every crevice of life for literally every person on the planet. Installing fear into the lives of Australians, our nation was driven into a state of panic. First up, it was the case of the disappearing toilet paper. After the TP, it was the pasta aisle that vanished without a trace. Then, it was only a matter of time before the birth control pill went MIA from pharmacy shelves.
Were you one of the 14,000 Australians caught in the crossfire of the birth control shortage brought on by Covid-19? Here’s everything you need to know about the Covid-19 pill shortage, including how we can help you find your next best option.
We’ll start with Brevinor and Norimin; two oral contraceptive pills manufactured by a US pharmaceutical company called Pfizer (who is busy making the Covid-19 vaccine). Shortages of Brevinor and Norimin were reported to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in March 2020 as result of a manufacturing issue. Supply was expected to return to normal by December 2020 however the date has since been pushed back to late March 2021. And, to be honest, we’re not even 100-percent sure that’s a done deal (can anyone confirm?). Add to the mix a recent surge of oral contraceptive pill shortages, including Nordette, Loette, Lenest 30, and Trifeme, and we’re left with a lot of Australian women feeling abandoned while desperately seeking an alternative to their preferred pill.
The thing is, when it comes to the oral contraceptive pill, finding ‘the one’ isn’t always a straightforward process. Pregnancy prevention often involves a lot of testing, prodding, and dealing with dreadful side effects. The process can be lengthy and exhausting, so if you’ve been affected by the recent oral contraceptive pill shortage in Australia, here are your best moves forward.
Our pals at the TGA approved two alternative contraceptive pills with an identical ingredient list to Brevinor and Norimin. Known as Necon and Pirmella, these two birth control options became available for distribution across Australia in October however they don’t feature on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). If you’re picking up what we’re putting down, that means these two non-subsidised alternatives carry an expensive price tag. If you’re someone who rocks up to the pharmacy expecting to pay $12 for a three-monthly pill subscription, you’re going to be hit with a slap of shock when the pharmacist tries to ping you up to $80 for a pill you’re not even sure is the right fit for you. Then, when you consider the number of women who have lost their job as a direct Covid-19 swing, you start to wonder whether the fair-gods have misunderstood the brief here.
If you’ve been affected by the Covid-19 contraceptive pill shortage, Youly’s subscription service may be your best bet. We connect you with doctors who find the best pill for your situation based upon your health condition, pill usage history, lifestyle choices and budget. Best of all, the entire Youly process takes place online, making the search for your new oral contraception an absolute breeze! Find out if we’re the right fit for you now.
