AstraZeneca to extend PBA access to Zoladex® (goserelin) monthly (3.6mg) implant
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 [email protected]
Read the full media release here.