制药公司阿斯利康宣布，将向澳大利亚符合条件的乳腺癌和子宫内膜异位症患者无限期免费提供药物Zoladex[1]。这一决定扭转了公司早前的计划——由于认为药物价格过低，阿斯利康原定于2026年11月从澳大利亚医药福利计划（PBS）和私人市场撤出该药物[1]。
该政策调整源于患者的广泛反对。超过42,000人在数周内通过Change.org请愿书签名支持保留这一药物[1]。澳大利亚卫生部数据显示，今年前三个月约有8,600名患者获得该药物[1]。在自费购买情况下，患者每针需花费约700澳元[1]。
患者对缺药的担忧促使部分人考虑激进措施。患者Katie Elson和Ella Somerville Glover均表示曾考虑通过手术切除卵巢来应对无法获得这一药物的风险[1]。卫生部长Mark Butler表示政府正在推进HTA审查建议，以期加快药物审批速度[1]。
AstraZeneca has announced it will provide Zoladex free of charge indefinitely to eligible Australian patients suffering from breast cancer and endometriosis [1]. The pharmaceutical company's decision reverses its previous plan to withdraw the medication from Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and private market in November 2026, citing pricing concerns [1].
The company's initial withdrawal announcement sparked significant public backlash, with a Change.org petition accumulating over 42,000 signatures within weeks [1]. The prospect of losing access to the drug prompted some patients to consider surgical options; patients Katie Elson and Ella Somerville Glover both stated they had contemplated ovarian removal to manage the risks associated with medication unavailability [1]. According to Australian health department data, approximately 8,600 patients received the medication during the first three months of this year, and those purchasing privately faced costs of around 700 Australian dollars per dose [1]. Health Minister Mark Butler indicated that the government is advancing recommendations from a Health Technology Assessment review to accelerate the drug approval process [1].