If you are wondering why Cialis is so expensive in Australia, you are not alone. The cost of the drug is not related solely to the cost of production. The amount the patient has to pay also depends on whether the drug is subsidised, if a generic version is available and the private price charged by the pharmacy.
So what influences the price of Cialis in Australia? We have put together all the information about tadalafil price, differences between generic and brand Cialis and what you can do to reduce the price of Cialis you have to pay.
The Main Reason: Cialis for ED Is Usually a Private-Cost Medicine
In Australia, a significant proportion of prescription medicines are subsidised under the PBS (the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme), according to their indication and eligibility requirements.
Tadalafil is listed on the PBS for certain medical indications, such as pulmonary arterial hypertension. However, this does not necessarily mean that Cialis or generic tadalafil for the treatment of erectile dysfunction are automatically PBS-subsidised. The PBS listing of tadalafil for specific indications should not be interpreted as a general PBS subsidy for tadalafil prescribed for erectile dysfunction.
For people receiving tadalafil for erectile dysfunction outside a relevant subsidy arrangement, the medicine is generally accessed as a private prescription. This means that the patient may have to pay the pharmacy's private price rather than a PBS patient contribution.
Therefore, it is more accurate to say that tadalafil is PBS listed for certain indications while Cialis for erectile dysfunction is generally a private-cost treatment for the general population.
Why Isn't ED Treatment Generally PBS-Subsidised?
The eligibility of a medicine for prescription under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) depends on a number of factors including government assessments conducted by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), the drug itself, the indication, and any subsidy conditions established for the medicine.
It is essential to note that the PBS listing of a particular medicine does not necessarily cover all indications for which it was approved. This consideration is especially relevant to tadalafil as it is used for the treatment of various medical conditions.
For example, tadalafil is listed on the PBS for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) under certain conditions and prescribing requirements. According to the PBS Medicine Status database, tadalafil is available on the PBS with an indication of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
This means that the PBS status of tadalafil must not be confused with Cialis PBS listing for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, which is another indication covered by the drug. In this regard, it is crucial to note that the medicine indication is of significance in the context of subsidies.
In fact, previous PBS listings included various PDE5 inhibitors with different indications.
A Factor in the Pricing History: Generic Availability
Generic availability may affect the options available to patients when a medicine has been purchased privately.
The TGA states that a generic prescription medicine contains the same active ingredient as the existing medicine and must demonstrate bioequivalence. Generic medicines can be supplied by other companies once the relevant patent protections for the original medicine have expired. In Australia several generic tadalafil products were registered on 15 January 2018. TGA records identify products such as TADALAFIL INTAS, TADALACCORD and TADALAFIL SANDOZ as new generic medicines containing tadalafil, with indications including erectile dysfunction in adult males.
Generic availability gives patients and prescribers more options but the price a patient actually pays may vary depending on the product, pharmacy and whether the medicine is supplied under a subsidy arrangement.
Brand-Name Cialis vs Generic Tadalafil: The Real Price Gap
When purchased privately, generic tadalafil may be less expensive than brand-name Cialis. According to the TGA, a generic prescription medicine contains the same active ingredient as the existing medicine and must be bioequivalent. However, inactive ingredients, tablet appearance, packaging and the manufacturer may differ.
Brand Cialis: When purchased privately, brand-name Cialis may cost more than some generic tadalafil products. Private pricing can vary between products and pharmacies.
Generic tadalafil: Contains the same active ingredient, tadalafil, and may offer a lower private price than the brand-name version.
If you're considering generic tadalafil, speak with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it is suitable for you and whether a generic version is available for your prescription.
The Veterans' Exception: RPBS
The Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) provides subsidised medicines to eligible Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) beneficiaries, subject to the applicable requirements.
Tadalafil appears on the RPBS for specific products and strengths, including 10 mg and 20 mg tablets. The current PBS medicine listings show tadalafil products available under the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
However, having a DVA card does not automatically mean that a person will receive every tadalafil product at a subsidised price. Eligibility, the medicine being prescribed, the indication and applicable prescribing requirements can affect access.
If you are a DVA beneficiary and want to know whether tadalafil can be supplied under the RPBS, your doctor or pharmacist can check the relevant requirements.
How to Reduce What You Actually Pay
Below are some important factors you can consider if you want to reduce the cost:
- Ask about generic tadalafil. Generic products contain the same active ingredient and may be more affordable than the brand-name medicine.
- Compare private pharmacy prices. If you're paying privately, the price can vary between pharmacies and providers.
- Check whether you are eligible for DVA/RPBS support. Eligible DVA beneficiaries may be able to access tadalafil through the RPBS where the relevant requirements are met.
- Discuss your dosing schedule with your doctor. Tadalafil may be prescribed as a daily treatment or for use when needed, depending on the patient's circumstances. The total amount spent can differ depending on the prescribed dose and how frequently the medicine is used.
- Use a registered Australian pharmacy or appropriate Australian telehealth service. Be cautious about unregulated overseas sellers offering medicines at unusually low prices. Products obtained from unregulated sources may not have been assessed by the TGA for Australian supply and may not meet Australian quality and safety requirements.
Talking to a Doctor About ED Treatment
Understanding the difference between branded and generic Cialis is important, but it is not something you should decide on yourself. The correct treatment and dosage schedule should always be determined by a medical professional rather than based on budget.
With DirectMeds, eligible patients can complete an online ED assessment and discuss their symptoms and treatment options with an AHPRA-registered doctor.
The process is straightforward: complete a brief ED assessment and have a conversation with a doctor about your symptoms and treatment options in order to determine what may be the most suitable option for you.
Frequently Asked Questions:
When did generic tadalafil get registered in Australia?
TGA records show that several generic tadalafil products were registered in Australia on 15 January 2018. These included products such as TADALAFIL INTAS, TADALACCORD and TADALAFIL SANDOZ. The TGA identifies these as new generic medicines, with tadalafil products indicated for erectile dysfunction in adult males.
Is it likely that the price of Cialis or tadalafil will decrease further?
Prices for Cialis and tadalafil can change over time because of factors such as competition between manufacturers, pharmacy pricing and changes in government policy. However, there is no reliable way to predict whether prices will decrease in the future.
Why are there multiple brands of tadalafil in Australia?
There are multiple brands of tadalafil because different sponsors and manufacturers can provide generic versions of the medicine. TGA records indicate that multiple tadalafil products are registered in Australia, including those associated with Accord Healthcare, Sandoz and other sponsors. These products must satisfy the applicable Australian regulatory requirements for registration and supply.
What accounts for the high cost of Cialis in Australia?
An important consideration is that Cialis (tadalafil) prescribed for erectile dysfunction is not PBS-subsidised for the general population. Patients who do not have an applicable subsidy arrangement may therefore have to pay the private pharmacy price.
Tadalafil is listed on the PBS for certain indications, including pulmonary arterial hypertension, but this does not mean that tadalafil prescribed for ED is automatically PBS-subsidised. Eligible DVA beneficiaries may have access to tadalafil through the RPBS when the relevant requirements are satisfied.
Is Cialis for ED covered by the PBS in Australia?
Cialis prescribed for erectile dysfunction is not generally PBS-subsidised for the general population. Tadalafil is, however, listed on the PBS for specific indications, including pulmonary arterial hypertension. Eligible DVA beneficiaries may also have access to certain tadalafil products through the RPBS, subject to the applicable requirements.
