Bumper month for cheaper medicines with 10 new PBS listings for July

July is a bumper month for cheaper medicines with 10 new listings giving Australians expanded access to effective and affordable medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Tezepelumab (Tezspire®) will be listed for the first time to treat patients aged 12 years and older whose severe uncontrolled asthma (SUA) causes a buildup of white blood cells leading to inflammation and tissue damage (eosinophilia) or causes the immune system to overreact to allergens.

This condition causes the airways to narrow and become inflamed, making it difficult to breathe and increasing the risk of asthma attacks.

Tezspire® helps reduce inflammation in the airways, lowering the risk of asthma attacks and helping people with severe asthma to better manage their condition.

In 2025, around 18,500 patients accessed a comparable treatment through the PBS. Without PBS subsidy, patients might pay up to $1,600 per single injection, administered every four weeks.

2.8 million Australians are living with asthma (11% of population), with 3-10% having severe asthma.

Neffy® nasal spray will be listed to treat children over 4 and adults at significant risk of anaphylaxis.

Neffy is a new form of adrenaline (epinephrine) for the emergency treatment of acute severe allergic reactions in children over 4 years and 15 kg, and adults at significant risk of anaphylaxis.

In 2025, around 150,300 patients accessed a comparable treatment through the PBS.

Without PBS subsidy, patients could pay more than $95 per pack.
 
Somapacitan (Sogroya®) will be listed for the first time to treat children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD).

Paediatric GHD is a condition where a child does not produce enough growth hormone which impacts their normal growth and development over time.

Sogroya® is a long-acting growth hormone treatment taken weekly which helps to support normal growth while removing the need for daily injections.

More than 650 Australian children are expected to benefit from this listing each year.

Without the PBS subsidy, patients might pay more than $650 per pack.

Insulin degludec (Tresiba® Penfill®) will be listed to treat patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

This is a lifelong condition where the body requires ongoing insulin treatment because it does not produce enough insulin to regulate blood glucose levels on its own.

Tresiba® Penfill® is a long-acting insulin that provides stable blood glucose control throughout the day and night, helping people with T1DM to manage their condition.

In 2025, around 14,000 patients accessed a comparable treatment through the PBS. Without PBS subsidy, patients might pay up to $500 per pack.

Romidepsin (Romidepsin-Reach®) will be listed for the first time to treat adult patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) who have received at least one prior drug therapy such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

PTCL is a rare type of blood cancer that affects the T‑cells in the immune system. The T‑cells become abnormal and grow out of control, forming cancer cells which can spread through the lymphatic system, including the lymph nodes, spleen and other organs.

Romidepsin-Reach® works by interfering with the growth of cancer cells, helping to slow the progression of the disease.

In 2025, around 70 patients accessed a comparable treatment through the PBS. Without PBS subsidy patients might pay up to $6,000 per pack.

Rozanolixizumab (Rystiggo®) will be listed for the first time to treat adults with generalised myasthenia gravis (gMG).

This chronic disease affects communication between the nerves and muscles, leading to muscle weakness which can worsen over time and affect everyday functions such as speaking, swallowing and breathing.

Rystiggo® works by improving nerve-to-muscle communication which helps improve muscle strength in people living with gMG.

Around 4,900 Australians are expected to benefit from this listing each year. Without the PBS subsidy, patients might pay up to $10,000 per pack.

Alectinib (Alecensa®) will be expanded for treatment of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

This cancer occurs when a faulty ALK gene produces an abnormal ALK protein that causes cancer cells in the lungs to grow and multiply uncontrollably and possibly spread to other parts of the body.

Alecensa® works by targeting and blocking the ALK protein that drives cancer growth helping to slow or stop the spread of cancer cells.

Around 440 Australians are expected to benefit from this listing each year. Without the PBS subsidy, they might pay around $188,400 per course of treatment.
 
Pertuzumab (Perjeta®) will be expanded for the treatment of high-risk human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) early breast cancer.

HER2+ breast cancer is an early-stage cancer where cancer cells produce higher than normal levels of the HER2 protein which can increase a tumour’s growth.

Perjeta® works by targeting the HER2 protein on cancer cells and helps to block signals driving tumour growth.

More than 3,300 Australians are expected to benefit from this listing each year. Without the PBS subsidy, they might pay up to $6,000 per pack.
 
Osimertinib (Tagrisso®) will be expanded for the treatment of epidermal growth factor receptor mutation-positive (EGFRm) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and unresectable Stage III NSCLC following chemoradiation.

EGFRm NSCLC is a type of lung cancer where changes in the EGFR gene cause cancer cells to grow and multiply uncontrollably.

Tagrisso® works by targeting and blocking abnormal EGFR signals that increase tumour growth to help slow the progression of the disease.

More than 170 Australians are expected to benefit from this listing each year. Without the PBS subsidy, they could pay more than $7,500 per pack.

Futibatinib (Lytgobi®) will be listed for the first time for the treatment of patients with previously-treated advanced or unresectable cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) with fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) gene alterations.

CCA is a rare type of cancer that forms in the bile ducts, which carry digestive fluid between the liver and the small intestine. The condition is often diagnosed at a later stage which can limit treatment options.

Lytgobi® works by targeting and blocking abnormal FGFR2 proteins which can drive cancer growth, helping to slow disease progression.

Around 70 Australians are expected to benefit from this listing each year. Without PBS subsidy they could pay more than $9,000 per pack.
 
Since July 2022, the Australian Government has approved extra funding for 463 new and amended listings on the PBS.
 
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:

“The Australian Government is committed to delivering cheaper medicines for all.
 
“By adding and expanding access to these medicines on the PBS, eligible patients will pay a maximum of $25 per script, or just $7.70 with a concession card.
 
“These medicines will give Australians with cancer and chronic conditions more treatment options to manage their health and provide vital financial relief to Australians battling these conditions.”