The Australian government has broadened subsidised access to medicines for patients with cystic fibrosis, blood cancer, and thyroid eye disease under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), with the changes taking effect from 1 November 2026. Health Minister Mark Butler announced the expanded listings, which are expected to benefit an estimated 3,300 Australians annually across the three conditions.

Cystic Fibrosis: New Granule Form for Young Children

Children aged six to eleven with cystic fibrosis who weigh less than 30 kg will now be eligible for a granule formulation of Trikafta, a medicine that targets the underlying genetic cause of the disease rather than just its symptoms. The granule form is specifically designed for children who struggle to swallow tablets, addressing a significant treatment gap in younger patients.

Without PBS subsidies, the treatment would cost patients more than AU$20,300 (approximately US$14,200) per prescription. Under the PBS, eligible patients pay a maximum of AU$25 per prescription, or AU$7.70 for concession card holders — a dramatic reduction in out-of-pocket costs.

Blood Cancer and Thyroid Eye Disease Listings

The government has added Tepezza to the PBS as a treatment for active, moderate-to-severe thyroid eye disease, with around 310 Australians expected to benefit each year. Thyroid eye disease is an autoimmune condition that can cause painful swelling and, in severe cases, vision loss.

Subsidised access to Adcetris has also been expanded, providing a new first-line treatment option for patients with advanced CD30-positive classical Hodgkin lymphoma — a type of blood cancer — benefiting an estimated 370 Australians annually. The expansion gives oncologists an additional frontline tool for a condition that primarily affects younger adults.

Cholesterol Medicine and 60-Day Prescriptions

The PBS listing for Repatha, used to manage high cholesterol, has been amended to allow eligible patients to obtain larger quantities under the government's 60-day prescription initiative. The change reduces the frequency of pharmacy visits and lowers overall costs for patients on long-term cholesterol management.

Sunscreen Regulation Reform Also in Focus

Separately, Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is developing reforms to strengthen sunscreen regulation, including tightened testing requirements, quality standards for specific ingredients, and restrictions on the SPF claims cosmetic sunscreens can make. The proposed reforms follow a public consultation held from March to May that drew nearly 120 responses from industry, health professionals, consumer groups, and academic stakeholders.

The TGA noted that Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world, and that the primary objective of sunscreen regulation is to ensure product quality, safety, and efficacy in protecting consumers from harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Cumulative Scale of PBS Expansion

The government said it has approved additional funding for 511 new and amended PBS listings since July 2022 — a figure that underscores the pace of pharmaceutical subsidisation under the current administration. The latest round of listings continues a pattern of targeting high-cost specialty medicines where out-of-pocket expenses would otherwise be prohibitive for patients. How access translates into improved health outcomes will be closely watched by clinicians and patient advocates in the months ahead.