Hi all,
My sister, is on disability support pension. She has bipolar disorder. Before finding the right medication was hospitalised in a psychriatic unit for several weeks, 6 years ago. She has been stable and managing well. She is 7 months pregnant, and although they do not advise for people to remain on her type of meds while pregnant, her psychiatrist has stated it is more risk to her mental health if she comes off them, so she has had a lot of monitoring and extra appointments and thankfully all progressing well.
It is extremely distressing to her, hearing from the GP that her medication, which is prescribed both for bipolar and for schizophrenia, as from 1st July is only covered on the PBS for people with schizophrenia NOT bipolar. Clearly this is medication she needs which will cost minimum $99 a month or $95 purchsng the generic brand rather than $6.
Its unbelievable one day its $6 then $100, without any consult, advice or discussion prior to her about alternatives. it was never her choice to go on this medication, it was her doctors after several weeks of trial and error when in hospital but it has helped.
She is on disability support pension, a new mum, adding to this is more financial stress of an essential medication. She is not in a position to go into a psychiatric unit while pregnant to find other medication. It will put her and her baby at risk doing so.
Im reaching out to see if anyone else is facing this issue at the moment?
