Australian psychiatrists push for Medicare to subsidise ketamine for treatment-resistant depression

In an Australian study, researchers injected ketamine into people with treatment-resistant depression. At the conclusion of the trial, fifth of those given racemic ketamine reported they no longer had clinical depression compared with 2% in the placebo group. Photograph: Bob London/Alamy

Researchers supported by Australia’s peak body for psychiatrists have applied to have ketamine treatments for depression subsidised by Medicare, following the results of a trial which found a low-cost version of the drug can treat severe depression.

Currently, S-ketamine nasal spray is sometimes prescribed in Australia for treatment-resistant depression, but it costs approximately $800 per dose, and combined with the consultation cost, patients can pay around $1,150 for treatment.