PBS expands triptorelin access for women
17 Sep 2026
From 1 October, triptorelin 3.75 mg, sold as Diphereline, will be available through the PBS for several women’s health conditions, including breast cancer, endometriosis and uterine fibroids.
The change comes before low-dose goserelin 3.6 mg, sold as Zoladex, is scheduled to be removed from the PBS from 1 November.
AstraZeneca previously announced it would withdraw the Zoladex 3.6 mg implant from the Australian market. The decision raised concerns about treatment options for women using the medicine.
Vicki Durston, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Breast Cancer Network Australia, said the PBS expansion provides greater certainty for women who have been concerned about losing access to their treatment.
Katie-Marie Thorpe, who is living with metastatic breast cancer, also welcomed the availability of another option.
Triptorelin is already listed on the PBS for hormone-dependent locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer.
Following a special meeting in July, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) supported expanding the PBS listing for triptorelin 3.75 mg intramuscular injection.
The expanded listing will make triptorelin available without restriction for the approved conditions covered by the new PBS listing.
In 2025, about 13,580 Australians received Zoladex 3.6 mg or a comparable treatment through the PBS.
The PBAC said triptorelin would have acceptable cost-effectiveness if its cost was minimised against goserelin 3.6 mg.
Without PBS support, a prescription for triptorelin can cost more than $1370. Under the expanded listing, the medicine will be available as a subsidised monthly treatment for less than $25 per prescription.
Federal Health and Ageing Minister Mark Butler said the change was intended to provide greater security and affordability for women affected by the withdrawal of Zoladex.
AstraZeneca will also continue supplying the Zoladex implant at no cost in Australia from 1 November for patients who do not have a suitable treatment pathway.
PBS expands triptorelin access for women
Source: Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) / Australian Government PBS