AstraZeneca will make the Zoladex monthly (3.6mg) implant available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) until 1 May 2027, extending the planned 1 November 2026 delisting date by six months. PBS prescriptions written by 30 April 2027 can be filled until 1 May 2028.
Dr Marie Guillet, Country President, AstraZeneca Australia and New Zealand, said: “We recognise the significant concern felt by patients and we are pleased to confirm today that access to the Zoladex monthly (3.6mg) implant will extend on the PBS, with eligible patients being able to fill their PBS script for another 18 months.
“AstraZeneca understands the importance of maintaining PBS access to this therapy and applied for a price increase for the Zoladex monthly (3.6mg) implant to remain on the PBS. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) was unable to grant a price adjustment that would have allowed the continued PBS reimbursement of this medicine.
“Zoladex monthly (3.6mg) has decades of clinical use in Australia and around the world. It is, however, expensive to manufacture and the accumulation of years of inflation has increased the manufacturing cost, despite productivity improvements. On the other hand, the price is less than half what it was when first listed in 1991,” Dr Guillet said.
“Universal and equitable access to medicines is critical to the continued health of Australians. The PBS will require appropriate funding to ensure Australians are not denied access to medicines.”
AstraZeneca will consider making a further application to secure long-term reimbursed access for the Zoladex monthly (3.6mg) implant.
The separate Zoladex three-monthly (10.8mg) implant is now registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration for the management of oestrogen-receptor (ER) positive early and advanced breast cancer in pre and peri menopausal women. AstraZeneca awaits the outcome of the PBAC’s evaluation of our submission for a PBS listing of this indication.
With alternatives now available to Australian patients through the PBS, the company’s previously announced Zoladex continuity program will not proceed.
Patients who have questions about their treatment should speak with their doctor or pharmacist. For questions about Zoladex, AstraZeneca Medical Information can be contacted on 1800 805 342 or at MedInfo.Australia@astrazeneca.com
ENDS
ZOLADEX® (3.6mg) Therapeutic Indications:
- Palliative treatment of metastatic or locally advanced prostate cancer, where suitable, for hormonal manipulation.
- Adjuvant and neo-adjuvant therapy in combination with radiotherapy for the management of locally advanced prostate cancer in men suitable for hormonal manipulation.
- Treatment of advanced breast cancer in premenopausal women suitable for hormonal manipulation.
- Adjuvant therapy in early breast cancer, in pre and perimenopausal women suitable for hormonal manipulation.
- Management of visually proven endometriosis to reduce symptoms including pain and the size and number of endometrial lesions.
- Management of fibroids, to shrinks lesions and reduce symptoms, including pain. Zoladex® also increases the haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit in women with anaemia attributable to menorrhagia. It is used as an adjunct to surgery to facilitate the operative technique and reduce operative blood loss.
- Used as an endometrial thinning agent prior to endometrial ablation.
- In assisted reproduction, for pituitary down regulation in preparation for controlled ovarian superstimulation.
Please click here to view consumer medicine information. PBS Information: Refer to the current PBS Schedule.
ZOLADEX® (10.8mg) Therapeutic Indications:
- Management of oestrogen-receptor (ER) positive early and advanced breast cancer in pre and perimenopausal women.
Please click here to view consumer medicine information. PBS Information: Refer to the current PBS Schedule.
Precautions: Patients should inform their doctor if they are allergic to goserelin acetate or any ingredients included in the Zoladex (monthly) 3.6mg implant. Patients should also inform their doctor if they have had have any other medical conditions (have heart or blood vessel conditions, including heart rhythm problems, have any condition which affects the strength of your bones, have had any problems passing urine or have had any lower back problems, have diabetes, take any medicines for any other condition, or if they are pregnant or intend to become pregnant, are breastfeeding or intending to breastfeed.
Interactions: Patients should inform their doctor if they are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins, or supplements without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Safety: All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the common side effects, such as changes in blood pressure, hot flushes, feeling faint, chills, headache, skin rashes, acne, sweating, tingling or numbness, breast tenderness, breast enlargement, vaginal dryness, altered mood, erectile dysfunction, pain, hair loss, weight gain, incontinence, lower back pain, painful joints, abdominal pain or swelling, and injection site reactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
ZOLADEX® belongs to the class of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and is a registered trademark of AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca Pty. Ltd. ABN 54 009 682 311. 66 Talavera Road, Macquarie Park NSW 2113. www.astrazeneca.com.au. For Medical Information enquiries or to report an adverse event or product quality complaint: Telephone 1800 805 342 or via https://contactazmedical.astrazeneca.com | September 2026 AU-27088
About ZOLADEX®
Zoladex contains the active ingredient goserelin acetate. Zoladex is used to lower the amount of sex hormones in the body.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/NYSE: AZN) is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three therapy areas – Oncology; Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism; and Respiratory & Immunology. Based in Cambridge, UK, AstraZeneca operates in more than 100 countries and its innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For more information, please visit www.astrazeneca.com.au