Truqap on PBS: Cost relief for metastatic breast cancer patients
The federal government has added Truqap, a significant treatment option for breast cancer, to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) starting 1 October, coinciding with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This move is designed to make high-cost therapies more affordable for Australians facing metastatic disease, reducing the financial strain on patients and families while expanding treatment choices offered by the public health system.
What the PBS listing means for patients
With Truqap now on the PBS, patients will pay a maximum of $31.60 per script, a dramatic improvement from potential out-of-pocket costs that could reach about $100,000 for a full course without subsidy. This cost cap on the drug’s supply under the PBS is expected to significantly improve access for thousands of Australians each year.
Clinical context
Truqap is indicated for breast cancer that is locally advanced or metastatic and cannot be removed surgically. Health Minister Mark Butler emphasised that listing Truqap on the PBS could help improve survival outcomes for people with metastatic breast cancer, a group that has historically faced limited treatment options and high treatment costs. He noted, “We think that only about 1 in 3 women with metastatic breast cancer will go on to survive 5 years or more.”
Butler continued, “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.”
Community and clinical perspectives
Advocates welcomed the decision. Andrea Smith, a founder of Metastatic Breast Cancer Action Australia, highlighted the daily realities faced by those living with metastatic disease. She noted that an estimated 24,000 people in Australia live with metastatic breast cancer, balancing work, family, and the demanding toll of treatment, often alongside ongoing psychological strain.
Medical oncologist Fran Boyle, based at the Mater Hospital in North Sydney, said the PBS listing adds a valuable option that can be used before chemotherapy if that approach is desired, offering clinicians greater flexibility in sequencing therapies to optimise outcomes.
Butler framed the listing as providing meaningful hope to patients, underscoring the policy’s potential to translate into longer survival and better quality of life for those living with metastatic breast cancer.
Statistics and broader context
According to the federal government, in 2024 more than 21,000 Australians were diagnosed with breast cancer, making up about 13% of all new cancer cases, with 3,305 deaths from the disease. The PBS addition of Truqap aligns with broader efforts to improve access to high-cost cancer therapies and reduce the financial toxicity that can accompany life-saving treatments.
What happens next
Healthcare providers will begin incorporating Truqap into treatment plans under the PBS framework, with patients likely to benefit from earlier access and reduced out-of-pocket costs. As Breast Cancer Awareness Month continues, clinicians, patient groups, and policymakers will monitor uptake, affordability, and early signals of impact on survival and quality of life.
Stay informed
For ongoing coverage of health policy and cancer care in Australia, follow SBS News updates and resources from national patient advocacy groups.
