Australian advocates urge subsidies for PMOS weight-loss drugs

The Polyendrocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome Association of Australia (POSAA) is calling for GLP-1 weight-loss medications to be subsidized through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for women living with PMOS.

PMOS, formerly known as polycystic ovarian syndrome, affects one in eight women. The lifelong condition can lead to increased risks of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and endometrial cancer. Symptoms include irregular periods, weight gain, hair thinning, and excess body hair.

While GLP-1 drugs are currently being prescribed off-label to treat PMOS, they are not specifically approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for this condition. Advocates argue that high costs, which can reach several hundred dollars per month, prevent equitable access to treatment.

Magdalena Simonis, a women’s health spokesperson for the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, noted that the college does not currently have a formal position on the use of GLP-1s for PMOS management, citing concerns regarding long-term costs and alternative tools.