2026/2027 Federal Budget risks Australians losing access to innovative medicines from around the world

The latest Federal Budget missed the mark when it comes to ensuring Australians have access to the latest medicines available internationally and risks patients missing out on life-saving drugs.

While Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) welcomes the Australian Government’s investment to continue to invest in PrOSPeCT - a precision oncology program supporting genomic profiling and personalised treatment approaches for advanced cancer, as well as increased investment through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), the 2026/2027 Federal Budget falls short on improving access to potentially life-extending cancer treatments and addressing ongoing Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) pressures. 

BCNA is deeply concerned about the impact this could have on Australians with breast cancer, particularly those patients who need timely and affordable access to medicines that could extend and improve their lives, available to similar patients in other countries.  

Australia is falling behind, and it is the patients who are suffering. 

Critically, BCNA warns that without meaningful reform and sustained investment, Australia risks the emergence of a two-tiered system of cancer care, where access to life-extending medicines depends on a patient’s ability to pay, rather than clinical need. This would undermine one of the fundamental principles of the PBS: equitable access to treatment for all Australians, regardless of income, geography or circumstance.

Breast Cancer Network Australia CEO, Kirstin Pilatti, said the international environment is increasingly volatile when it comes to medicine pricing and Australia cannot afford to be complacent in safeguarding our equitable access to the latest medicines.

“Australia’s Health Technology Assessment (HTA) system plays a key role in providing access to medicines that extend and impact the quality of life for Australians who need it. The country has spent significant time working on reforms for our system. Now is the time for government to invest in implementation,” says Ms Pilatti.

The Budget represented an important opportunity for the Australian Government to demonstrate strong leadership and accelerate meaningful HTA reform and long-term investment in medicine access. 

For people diagnosed with breast cancer, delays in accessing effective medicines are not abstract policy issues - they directly affect quality of life, treatment outcomes and survival.

BCNA continues to call for

• faster and more transparent HTA and PBS listing processes ensuring equitable access to cancer treatments
• greater investment in innovative medicines through the PBS
• sustainable reforms that place patients at the center of decision-making
• stronger policy settings to ensure Australia remains a globally competitive and attractive market for innovative medicines.

BCNA will continue to work with the Australian Government, clinicians, researchers, industry and consumers to ensure Australia maintains a strong, sustainable and equitable medicines access system that meets the needs of people affected by breast cancer- now and into the future

For more information on Breast Cancer Network Australia and the vital work the organisation is doing in supporting those Australians with breast cancer, their families and carers, visit bcna.org.au. 

Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) is Australia’s leading breast cancer consumer organisation. BCNA provides information and support to those diagnosed and their supporters, opportunities to connect with others going through a similar situation and work to influence a stronger healthcare system to ensure all Australians affected by breast cancer receive the very best care, treatment and support.