As of July 1, 2025, the breast cancer drug ribociclib, known as Kisqali, will be available at a subsidized rate on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in Australia, significantly lowering the cost from approximately $3,700 per month to a more affordable price for eligible patients.

Kirsten Pilatti, CEO of the Breast Cancer Network Australia, emphasized that Kisqali's PBS listing is crucial for ensuring equitable access to treatment, thereby preventing a two-tiered healthcare system based on patients' financial capabilities.

Dr. Belinda Yeo noted that making Kisqali accessible to early breast cancer patients expands treatment options and aligns with the overarching goal of curing cancer, especially for those at high risk of recurrence.

The drug is specifically designed for women diagnosed with early hormone receptor positive (HR+) or human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-) breast cancer, particularly those with cancer involving lymph nodes.

The effectiveness of Kisqali was highlighted in the NATALEE trial, which involved 5,101 patients and showed that adding Kisqali to standard hormone therapy reduced the risk of cancer recurrence by 28.5% compared to hormone therapy alone.

Cath McLardy, a breast cancer survivor who underwent extensive treatment for stage three breast cancer, initially received compassionate access to Kisqali when it was not subsidized for non-metastatic patients.