PBAC March 2025 outcomes: BCNA welcomes progress but urges action on unmet needs

Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) acknowledges the latest recommendations from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) following its March 2025 meeting, which bring both welcome progress and a disappointment setback for the breast cancer community. 

Progress for early and metastatic breast cancer treatments

Perjeta ® (pertuzumab) 

BCNA welcomes the PBAC’s recommendation to list Perjeta® (pertuzumab) on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for people with HER2-positive early breast cancer. This decision is a significant step forward for the up to 4,000 Australians each year diagnosed with this aggressive form of breast cancer, many of whom have faced high out-of-pocket costs to access this vital treatment.

Adding Perjeta® (pertuzumab) to standard treatment before breast cancer surgery may reduce the need for further targeted treatments and more invasive surgery, improving quality of life during recovery.    

BCNA has long advocated for timely and equitable access to new breast cancer medicines, and this recommendation will help ease the financial burden and improve quality of life for thousands of families each year.

BCNA Director of Policy, Advocacy & Support Services, Vicki Durston, said, “This is an important step towards ensuring all Australians with HER2-positive early breast cancer can access the best available treatment, regardless of their financial situation. We know this will make a real difference to many in our community.”

Leanne Turner, who was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer at age 47, knows firsthand the impact of PBS access.

“When I was told I needed pertuzumab as part of my treatment, it wasn’t covered by Medicare or my private health fund. I had to pay $6,500 out of my own pocket for the injections, on top of all my other treatment costs. I know I was fortunate to be able to afford it, but I kept thinking about all the people who simply couldn’t. Having access to this drug made a real difference to my health and recovery. I’m so grateful I was able to have it, but it shouldn’t come down to luck or financial position.”

TRUQAP® (capivasertib)

BCNA also welcomes today’s decision to recommend a new targeted treatment for metastatic breast cancer for PBS subsidy.

Clinical trials show the new medicine TRUQAP® (capivasertib), in combination with hormone blocking treatment fulvestrant, keeps cancer from growing or spreading for more than twice as long than fulvestrant alone. 

The drug has been recommended for PBS subsidy for the treatment of HR+ / HER2- locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, following recurrence or progression on or after endocrine therapy. 

Vicki Durston, BCNA Director of Policy, Advocacy and Support Services, said this has been a long-awaited outcome. 

“We welcome people living with metastatic breast cancer having another affordable treatment option that can extend their lives. They often face significant out of pocket costs for these drugs prior to them being subsided – and many cannot afford them at all,” Ms Durston said.  

Nurse Practitioner Jenny Gilchrist said the PBAC recommendation of TRUQAP® (capivasertib), in combination with fulvestrant, would help to shift metastatic breast cancer from a treatable but incurable diagnosis to a manageable chronic condition.  

“Capivasertib represents a significant advancement for eligible metastatic breast cancer patients, doubling progression-free survival when combined with fulvestrant.” 

Disappointment for those awaiting new options

However, BCNA is disappointed that two other medicines - Orserdu® (elacestrant)  for advanced hormone receptor positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, and Veoza® (fezolinetant) for moderate to severe menopause-related hot flushes - were not recommended for PBS subsidy at this time.

Many women living with and beyond breast cancer experience severe menopause symptoms as a result of their treatment, with limited and often poorly tolerated options available.  

Medical oncologist Dr Belinda Kiely said, “Treatments to reduce hot flushes in women with breast cancer are limited and often poorly tolerated. Fezolinetant is an effective treatment for hot flushes in post-menopausal women and appears to cause minimal side effects. The data on its safety and efficacy in people with breast cancer is awaited. Fezolinetant has the potential to improve quality of life and adherence to endocrine therapy for the many women with breast cancer struggling with hot flushes.”

BCNA recognises that these decisions are disappointing for many in our community, especially for those who had hoped for access to affordable, effective symptom relief and new treatment options.