A new treatment for a range of women’s health conditions has been listed on the PBS. Photo: andreser.
A new drug will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from next month to expand access to treatment for a range of women’s health conditions.
From 1 October, Triptorelin 3.75 mg (Diphereline®) will become available on the PBS for the treatment of conditions including breast cancer, endometriosis and uterine fibrosis.
In 2025, about 13,580 Australians accessed Zoladex 3.6 mg Implant or a comparable treatment on the PBS.
The expanded PBS listing of Triptorelin will provide certainty for thousands of women who have been unsure of their treatment options with the uncertainty around the listing of Zoladex 3.6 mg Implant, which is scheduled to be delisted from the PBS from 1 November at the request of its pharmaceutical sponsor.
A special meeting of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), held in July, recommended an expanded PBS listing for Triptorelin to ‘unrestricted benefit’ to provide an alternative treatment for women.
Health Minister Mark Butler said the expanded listing meant Triptorelin would be available as an alternative monthly treatment at PBS prices.
“We know thousands of women were concerned about the prospect of losing access to the particular Zoladex treatment which is why our government has taken action to find an alternative treatment for women,” he said.
“This expanded treatment option will provide certainty to women and ensure they can continue to access a monthly treatment option at an affordable price.”
Without PBS subsidy, patients could pay more than $1370 per script. Now it will cost no more than $25 per script.
Cancer patient Katie Thorpe joined the minister for the announcement and said the listing would help prevent women from making irreversible decisions about their bodies because of limited options.
“A metastatic cancer diagnosis guarantees a life full of hard uncertainties, but whether I can access the treatment that my oncologist prescribes should never be one of them,” she said.
“Today gives women clarity, certainty and choice.”
The minister said that over the past few months there had been a lot of collaboration to find a solution to the issue.
“The Breast Cancer Network, I have to express my enormous gratitude, pulled together a roundtable,” Mr Butler said.
“We’ve been working together to do what we can to ensure security and affordability of an alternative treatment.
“We scanned the rest of the world and found there is an equivalent treatment called Triptorelin sponsored by a drug company called Ipsom.
“We invited that company to make an application to Australia, to our Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, expedited that process, and are able to announce today that this equivalent treatment, Triptorelin, will be available on the PBS from 1 October, ensuring that there is no gap in this incredibly important hormone suppressant for Australian women.”
Breast Cancer Network Australia policy director, Vicki Durston, applauded the development.
“Today’s announcement that there will be a monthly alternative, Triptorelin (3.75 mg), available on the PBS from 1 October 2026, provides welcome relief to women and restores their trust that a safe and effective drug is available come 1 October,” she said.
“We acknowledge the work of PBAC, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Ipsen, Minister Butler and his office, who heard the impact directly from Breast Cancer Network Australia’s consumers and clinicians and responded to this critical issue.
“We welcome the PBS listing of Triptorelin and this listing provides much-needed certainty. Women should never be left asking whether a medicine they depend on will still be there whilst they need it.”
Assistant Health Minister Rebecca White said women’s health was a priority for the government.
“We understand how important it is to have certainty when it comes to your health and women have been concerned about the changes to Zoladex and what that could mean for their treatment,” she said.
“Women should be able to access the medicines they need without cost being a barrier, particularly when they are managing conditions like breast cancer and endometriosis.”
Original Article published by Chris Johnson on Region Canberra.
