Inside PBAC's special meeting

The Health Department has made moves to quell a patient backlash over the upcoming withdrawal of AstraZeneca’s monthly Zoladex, with Ipsen stepping in to fill the gap.

AstraZeneca markets two strengths of Zoladex, an implant that delivers gonadotrophic releasing hormone agonist goserelin subcutaneously. Both the monthly 3.6 mg dose and the three-monthly 10.8 mg dose are listed on the PBS for prostate cancer, however, only the monthly option is TGA approved and listed on the PBS for endometriosis, breast cancer, and anticipated premature ovarian failure.

“The Department has been working with clinical experts, the PBAC, pharmaceutical companies and other stakeholders to consider suitable alternatives following AstraZeneca's decision to delist goserelin 3.6 mg implant (Zoladex Implant) from the PBS from 1 November 2026,” a departmental spokesperson told Pharma in Focus.