Experts urge PBS listing for drug to treat breast cancer, endometriosis, and gender dysphoria

A key advisory body has recommended that the

A key advisory body has recommended that the Australian government subsidise a medication that could benefit thousands of patients, including women battling breast cancer, those suffering from endometriosis, and young people experiencing gender dysphoria. The recommendation comes from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), which advises on which medicines should be covered under the nation's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

The move follows an urgent meeting convened in July after pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca announced it would discontinue its drug Zoladex, a current treatment for breast cancer. This decision threatened to leave over 7,500 women with breast cancer without a funded alternative, prompting the committee to act swiftly.

The drug in question, triptorelin, is already listed for prostate cancer treatment but is not yet widely accessible for other conditions. The PBAC has now advised that triptorelin should have its use expanded without restrictions, meaning it could be prescribed for breast cancer, endometriosis, and gender dysphoria in children and adolescents.

This recommendation is seen as a critical step

This recommendation is seen as a critical step in ensuring continuity of care for patients who rely on hormone-based therapies. For breast cancer patients, the drug works by reducing oestrogen levels, which can fuel tumour growth. In endometriosis, it helps to manage pain by suppressing ovarian function, while for gender dysphoria, it can pause puberty in young people, giving them more time to explore their options.

Health experts have welcomed the advice, noting that timely access to such treatments is vital. The final decision on whether to list triptorelin for these indications rests with the federal health minister, but the PBAC's backing is a strong signal that the drug could soon be available to those in need.

If approved, the listing would provide a lifeline for many patients, offering them a medically sound alternative at a time when the pharmaceutical landscape is shifting. The federal government has yet to comment on a timeline, but the committee's recommendation marks a significant step towards broader access.