Overview

• Spravato, an esketamine nasal spray targeting the glutamate system, will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from May 1, reducing its cost to $31.60 per dose or $7.70 for concession holders.
• The treatment is designed for patients with treatment-resistant depression, providing symptom relief within hours compared to weeks for traditional antidepressants.
• Clinical trials in Australia have shown significant improvement in about 50% of patients who failed to respond to conventional therapies.
• Patients must attend certified clinics for supervised administration, incurring additional out-of-pocket costs, which remain a barrier for many despite the PBS subsidy.
• Experts emphasize the need for expanded public-sector availability and strict safety monitoring due to potential long-term risks, including bladder damage.