Australian women will have more affordable and better access to long-acting reversible contraceptives from Saturday.

Under changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule contraceptives like IUDs and birth control implants will be made more affordable for around 300,000 women each year, saving them up to $400 in out-of-pocket costs.

Contraceptive product NuvaRing — a soft plastic vaginal ring with hormones oestrogen and progestogen — will also be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme PBS for the first time.

Women who would have usually paid more than $270 a year, will expected to pay $31.60 per script for three month or $7.70 if they are concessional from November 1. And from January 1 the maximum women will pay per script will drop to $25.

Heath Minister Mark Butler said the governme

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