Forum Discussion
Zoladex 3 monthly available but not PBS covered for women
I wanted to share something I recently learned as it might help ease the burden of regular monthly injections.
I recently learned that the goserelin injections many of us have monthly are actually available in a 3 monthly dose (10.8mg). I was a really hopeful thinking this could significantly reduce the stress, time and cost that comes with needing to have an injection every 4 weeks.
However, my Med Onc informed me that in Australia, the PBS doesn't subsidise the 3 monthly dose for women, although it does for men (prostate cancer). The reasoning given that there's `insufficient evidence of reliable suppression of serum oestradiol' in women.
What doesn't make sense is that there is evidence suggesting otherwise. Recent research indicates that the 3 monthly dose is non-inferior to the monthly dose for pre-menopausal women with breast cancer in terms of ovarian suppression.
For me, the monthly injections come with a real burden:
- financially - GP visits and medication add up every month
- time wise - frequent GP appointments and pharmacy trips take time out of the week.
- physically and emotionally - injection itself is painful, it's a large slow release implant into the abdominal subcutaneous tissue.
The main alternative - surgical removal of the ovaries is obviously much more invasive and comes with it's own risks and long term consequences.
Given that the 3 monthly option is already in use, clinically tested and could ease the burden for many of us, I would really like to see equal PBS access for women.
I'm curious, has anyone else looked into this and how to go about taking action?
13 Replies
Hi,
I have read the same research however with the stopping of zoladex 3.6, I asked my oncologist today and she said no for young women. She says it doesn’t work as well. The next option is triptorelin injection .
here is the published article that validates the non inferiority of 3 monthly vs monthly dose https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667005425000493 Big shame that PBS only covering the monthly zoladex (soon to be triptorelin). I understand that everyone's circumstances are individual. As I'm 51yo (was perimenopausal at the time of endocrine therapy), I decided I couldn't be on a course of injections for the proposed 5 years (too painful) and opted for surgery instead.
The latest news that AstraZeneca will no longer be supplying the monthly dosage of Zoladex implant to Australia from November this year puts my head in a spin and reminds us that we are at the mercy of the drug companies. Although there is a contingency in the working that seems to include supplying the monthly dose, the maybe good news is that AstraZeneca have submitted an application to make the three-monthly Zoladex 10.8mg implant available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for hormone-receptor positive breast cancer patients. And so we wait.... in hope
We hear you NWhite1 , this news has understandably left many people feeling unsettled and reminded of just how vulnerable we can be to decisions made beyond our control.
When we learned of AstraZeneca’s decision to discontinue Zoladex 3.6mg from 1 November 2026, we went straight to work and coordinated advocacy with clinicians, consumers and key stakeholders to push for solutions and continuity of care. Please see more here: 🔔 Update on access to Zoladex treatment | BCNA Online Network
We know waiting is hard, but you are not waiting alone. We’ll keep you informed every step of the way and if you need support or someone to talk things through with, our Helpline is here for you on 1800 500 258.
This weeks bruising from monthly implant 😩
Ouch that looks so painful, I can imagine the actual injection is as painful and how you must dread it. I am very sorry you have to go through this and hope that the opportunity for 3 monthly injections will be available very soon. 🩷🩷
❤️❤️❤️ NWhite that bruise looks so intense and needing to have one every month I can only imagine is something that causes you stress leading up to each time knowing you will bruise again. I'm so sorry you are going through this, but I just wanted to mention again i have passed this on to our policy team and I really hope there can be movement on getting the 3-month dose covered ASAP to at least make this experience less frequent for you ❤️
I had been on monthly zolodex since initial diagnosis for triple pos ILC stage 2. I just had oopherectomy last week as I preferred that to ongoing cost plus having another appt for 1-2 hrs at hosp every 4 wks and the pain of the injection. Cost of living is through the roof and I haven’t been well enough to work while on all this treatment. I’m so glad to not have to do the zolodex anymore, but acknowledge that having any surgery has risks that need to be weighed up by each person with their doctors.
Can I ask what the surgery was like and recovery period. Also how long were you on zoladex
Hi JadeN, I can't imagine how awful having injections every month that causes what looks very painful bruising. I totally understand your decision and hope all continues well for you.
Hi Jade I know the monthly injection is awful and the fact there’s a 3 monthly dose not subsidized for women 😩. I have been driven to also go down the surgery track (menopause imminent but being 51 yo and on hormone blockers means can’t pinpoint how far away menopause is). Hope you are making a good recovery and one less thing you have to think about 😅
ThanksChristina_BCNA that sounds promising. I wonder how they are progressing as it seems so unreasonable. FYI The recent study that the 3 month is non inferior to the monthly dose was published just last year.
Thank you for sharing this NWhite1 - it’s a really important issue, and many will relate to the burdens you’ve outlined. Our Policy & Advocacy team is aware of PBS issues and are active in this space, I've passed this on to them to look into further so your experience can help inform their ongoing work :)
