Australia sees 17-fold rise in IV iron use among women

Research led by Flinders University indicates a 17-fold increase in the use of intravenous (IV) iron among Australian women of reproductive age between 2013 and 2024. Data from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme shows that the rate of dispensing rose from 0.3 per 100 women in 2013 to 5.0 per 100 in 2024, meaning one in 20 women aged 18 to 44 received the treatment in 2024.

Government and patient expenditure has escalated significantly, with annual medication spending rising from $1.1 million to over $82 million. While the Australian government covered 90.8% of costs in 2024, out-of-pocket expenses for patients can still reach hundreds of dollars per infusion. Ferric carboxymaltose now accounts for nearly 94% of all prescriptions, with general practitioners responsible for more than 60% of them.

The surge is attributed to increased clinical awareness of iron deficiency and the physical or financial challenges associated with oral iron treatments. Iron deficiency is common during reproductive years due to factors such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. However, researchers noted that nearly one in four women did not complete their prescribed treatment course, prompting calls to investigate whether the rapid increase in use is delivering equitable and cost-effective care.