Zoladex to Remain Available Free for Eligible Australian Patients Despite PBS Removal

Zoladex to Remain Available Free for Eligible Australian Patients Despite PBS Removal

20 Jul 2026

AstraZeneca has announced that its 3.6 mg Zoladex (goserelin) implant will remain available at no cost for eligible Australian patients from 1 November 2026 after it is removed from the PBS.

The company said the decision aims to maintain continuity of care for patients who do not have suitable alternative treatment options. The program will cover both current patients and those who may need the monthly implant after the PBS delisting.

Zoladex is commonly prescribed to treat breast cancer and endometriosis. More than 92,000 prescriptions for the monthly implant were dispensed through the PBS during the 12 months to the end of May 2026.

The announcement follows strong advocacy from healthcare professionals, patient groups, Breast Cancer Network Australia, and the RACGP, who raised concerns about the impact of losing subsidised access to the medicine.

Melbourne GP Associate Professor Magdalena Simonis described the outcome as a positive result of collaboration between clinicians, patient organisations, and the pharmaceutical company. She also highlighted the importance of ensuring GPs can easily access the new program for eligible patients.

AstraZeneca said the decision to remove Zoladex from the PBS reflects the current pricing system, stating that the PBS price is no longer sustainable for supplying the medicine under the scheme.

The announcement has also renewed discussion about Australia's medicines approval and funding system. Medicines Australia recently reported that only one in four medicines launched globally over the past decade has been listed on the PBS, compared with higher listing rates in countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States.

The organisation is calling for greater investment in innovative medicines, warning that some new treatments available overseas are not reaching Australian patients because of the current PBS process.

Meanwhile, the Australian Government is continuing its Health Technology Assessment Review, which is examining policies, funding arrangements, and approval pathways for new medicines and health technologies. The review is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

Zoladex to Remain Available Free for Eligible Australian Patients Despite PBS Removal

Source: newsGP | AstraZeneca | Medicines Australia

 
 
 
 

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