New breast cancer drug fills gap left by Zoladex market withdrawal

From 1 October 2026, Diphereline (triptorelin 3.75mg) will become available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the treatment of a range of women’s health conditions, including breast cancer, endometriosis and uterine fibrosis.

The expanded PBS listing of Diphereline will provide certainty for women who have been unsure of their treatment options with the withdrawal of Zoladex 3.6mg (goserelin) from the PBS from 1 November at the request of AstraZeneca. The subcutaneous implant has been a cornerstone monthly therapy used in pre- and perimenopausal women with hormone receptor–positive (HR+) breast cancer.

The decision raised significant concerns that more than 7,500 women with breast cancer could be left without an alternative treatment.

At a special meeting in July 2026, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) recommended an expanded PBS listing for Diphereline to provide an alternative treatment for women

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said, “Our government is committed to better healthcare for Australian women. 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. This expanded treatment option will provide certainty to women and ensure they can continue to access a monthly treatment option at an affordable price.”

For years, advocacy efforts have focused on securing PBS listings for new treatments. Now, patients fear equal attention may be required to ensure existing medicines remain available as global most-favoured-nation (MFN) pricing policies increasingly influence commercial decisions in Australia.

“We are in uncharted territory. We don’t really have that surety that medicines already on the PBS will stay on the PBS,” Rachelle Panitz, Managing Director of So Brave told Health Industry Hub . “Australians need to be concerned… decisions are being made on behalf of patients.

Assistant Health Minister Rebecca White added, “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. 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.”

Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) Director of Policy, Vicki Durston, has warned of broader uncertainty and growing fault lines in the social contract surrounding access to medicines listed on the PBS.

“Women should never be left asking whether a medicine they depend on will still be there whilst they need it,” she said. “Today’s announcement… 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 consumers and clinicians and responded to this critical issue.”

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