Australian couples undergoing infertility treatment may now access a short IVF (in vitro fertilisation) cycle, at no additional cost, with Government reimbursing the gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist, ORGALUTRAN® (ganirelix) on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 August.
ORGALUTRAN®, a daily, self-injection (via a pre-filled syringe), is used to prevent women from ovulating (releasing an egg from the ovary) too soon while the ovaries are being stimulated for egg collection during IVF. With this newly reimbursed therapy (ORGALUTRAN®) patients will have access to a short IVF cycle.
“We should not underestimate the significant impact the length of an IVF cycle can place on a couple,” states Dr Mark Bowman, Sydney fertility specialist. “The physical and psychological burden of IVF is significant1 – many couples will have battled with infertility for years – watching and waiting each and every month while they have tried to conceive naturally.
“Waiting periods during IVF can therefore generate high levels of anxiety– but particularly in the lead up to egg collection. Every day that can be saved and bring them closer to a result matters,” he adds.
ORGALUTRAN® is used in an ‘antagonist’ IVF cycle which involves approximately five days of GnRH antagonist treatment (ORGALUTRAN®) in conjunction with approximately 10 days of controlled ovarian stimulation with follicle stimulating hormone.
The current, standard IVF approach involves 2-4 weeks of additional treatment prior to 10 days of controlled ovarian stimulation.2 It is known as the ‘long down’ regulation cycle.
“We are seeing more couples selecting the short antagonist cycle in conjunction with their doctor. In recent years the use of short, antagonist cycles has increased to around 50 per cent of all IVF cycles now in Australia,” comments Dr Bowman.
*ORGALUTRAN® will be reimbursed by the PBS for patients receiving controlled ovarian stimulation to prevent premature ovulation.
