Triptorelin could become more widely available through the PBS
17 Aug 2026
Triptorelin 3.75 mg, sold in Australia as Diphereline, is currently listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for hormone-dependent locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer.
The PBAC has recommended that the General Benefit listing be made unrestricted. This would allow broader PBS access to triptorelin 3.75 mg for appropriate clinical uses.
Triptorelin is also used to manage conditions including breast cancer, endometriosis and uterine fibroids. However, it had not previously been recommended for PBS listing for these uses.
The recommendation follows a July PBAC special meeting that considered expanding access to triptorelin for women’s health conditions.
The decision comes after AstraZeneca announced that low-dose goserelin, sold as Zoladex, will be withdrawn from the Australian market from 1 November. Goserelin is used for some of the same conditions.
The PBAC said the cost effectiveness of triptorelin 3.75 mg for a broader patient population would be acceptable if its cost was minimised against goserelin 3.6 mg subcutaneous implants.
The committee also said an unrestricted PBS listing would be consistent with current evidence-based clinical practice.
PBAC has recommended reviewing the use of triptorelin around two years after any PBS listing change. The review would assess whether actual use has changed from what was expected.
AstraZeneca has also confirmed that it will continue providing Zoladex implants at no cost in Australia from 1 November for patients who do not have suitable alternative treatment pathways.
Triptorelin could become more widely available through the PBS
Source: Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.