Truqap joins the PBS: A milestone in Australian cancer care
Australian health authorities have announced a landmark step for metropolitan and regional patients alike. From Wednesday, October 1, the breast cancer drug Truqap will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), coinciding with the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The move means Truqap, previously a high-cost therapy for metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer, will be subsidised by the government and available at a capped price per prescription.
Significant cost relief and greater access
Prior to the PBS listing, a course of Truqap could cost around $100,000 for patients, a financial barrier that limited access for many families. Under the PBS, the cost is capped at $31.60 per script, dramatically reducing the out-of-pocket expense for those who need this targeted therapy. The government estimates that the policy could benefit about 3,000 women and a small number of men each year, providing new hope for people living with metastatic breast cancer and helping improve their quality of life during treatment.
Public and clinical perspectives
Health Minister Mark Butler highlighted the potential survival benefits alongside the financial relief. “We think that only about 1 in 3 women with metastatic breast cancer will go on to survive five years or more,” he said. “This new listing, Truqap, will provide that additional hope to — we think — about 3,000 women and a few men as well, every single year. Making a very big dent in some of the challenges we have around the survivability and quality of life for women with metastatic breast cancer.”
Andrea Smith, a founding member of Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Action Australia, welcomed the decision and highlighted the broader impact on patients. “The estimated 24,000 people living with metastatic breast cancer in Australia often balance work and family responsibilities while dealing with the unrelenting psychological and physical demands of their diagnosis,” she said. The PBS listing, she added, could ease daily burdens and expand treatment choices for many families navigating care options.
Fran Boyle, a medical oncologist at the Mater Hospital in North Sydney, emphasised the clinical flexibility the listing affords. “Adding Truqap to the PBS means there is a new treatment option that can be used before chemotherapy, if this is desired,” she noted, underscoring the role of targeted therapies in sequencing and personalising cancer care.
Context and impact for the broader community
Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in Australia. The government notes that in 2024 more than 21,000 Australians were diagnosed with breast cancer and 3,305 died from the disease. The PBS inclusion of Truqap is positioned as part of a broader effort to improve survival rates and the lived experience of those affected by metastatic breast cancer. Advocates say such cost reductions are essential for enabling patients to access cutting-edge therapies without delaying treatment due to financial constraints.
Looking ahead: better options, better outcomes
With Truqap now subsidised, clinicians may have more flexibility in creating treatment plans that can delay the need for traditional chemotherapy in some cases, potentially slowing disease progression and maintaining quality of life. As Breast Cancer Awareness Month unfolds, the focus shifts to ensuring patients and families understand their options, access support networks, and engage in shared decision-making with their healthcare teams. The PBS listing marks a practical step toward that goal and signals ongoing commitment to equitable cancer care across Australia.
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