Access to breast cancer treatment continues, despite PBS removal
21/07/2026
Low-dose goserelin, sold as Zoladex and used to treat breast cancer and endometriosis, will continue to be available to Australian patients despite its removal from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in November.
AstraZeneca Pty Ltd had made a commercial decision to remove the goserelin 3.6mg implant (Zoladex™), from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme on 1 November 2026, but has now confirmed it will still be available for patients without suitable treatment pathways beyond this date, after significant patient advocacy efforts raised concerns about continuity of care.
Goserelin is a monthly injection that supresses ovarian function and is commonly used to treat hormone receptor positive breast cancer and to prevent early menopause in women undergoing chemotherapy.
Goserelin has become part of standard practice after the benefits were proven in clinical trials that Breast Cancer Trials participated in, including POEMS, SOFT and TEXT. Breast Cancer Trials Member Professor Prue Francis, from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, developed and led the international SOFT and TEXT clinical trials studying ovarian suppression, which have led to changes in international practice in the management of premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer Professor Kelly Phillips, also from Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, led Breast Cancer Trials and European participation in the POEMS trial studying goserelin to prevent early menopause and protect future fertility in young women undergoing chemotherapy.
Currently, in Australia there are no registered or PBS listed alternatives to monthly goserelin for hormone receptor positive breast cancer or prevention of early menopause. Other monthly injections are available, and work is underway with the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) to ensure one of these alternative monthly injections is added to the PBS as soon as possible.
Astra Zeneca is also planning to register a slow-release version of goserelin (10.8mg implant) that is administered every 12 weeks, and this will be a good alternative option for some people.
To learn more:
Contact: BCT Media & PR Lead, Sara McGregor – 0424 591 241 or sara.mcgregor@bctrials.org.au
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