PBS to List Tepezza for Thyroid Eye Disease
Eligible adults with active moderate to severe Thyroid Eye Disease will gain Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme access to the treatment from 1 November 2026.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Diabetes
Live Poll
Should Australia's public drug subsidy scheme cover expensive new treatments for rare diseases?
Tepezza (teprotumumab) will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from Sunday, 1 November 2026, for eligible adults with active moderate to severe Thyroid Eye Disease in Australia. The listing covers a rare, progressive, autoimmune condition that can threaten vision.
Why it matters
Thyroid Eye Disease affects some 23,000 Australians and can significantly affect mental health, confidence, employment and social life. The listing moves treatment beyond intravenous steroids, which only address swelling and eyelid redness.
About 23,000 Australians live with Thyroid Eye Disease, with around 450 new cases each year and women making up 80 per cent of cases. Tepezza is reported to work on about 80 to 90 per cent of patients, though the source does not address long-term outcomes.
The players
Tepezza (teprotumumab)
Tepezza is an intravenous treatment that moves beyond steroid therapy to address the underlying cause of Thyroid Eye Disease.
Dr Khong
Dr Khong is a specialist whose comments on the treatment's effectiveness were cited in the announcement.
The details
Tepezza is given as an intravenous infusion every three weeks for about six months, rather than weekly, and it significantly reduces eye protrusion from the staring or startled appearance. The PBS listing is hoped to bring comfort to new cases and others who experience inflammation and swelling behind the eyes.
Timeline
Towards the end of her first pregnancy, more than two decades ago: Mudgee resident Miller first experienced Thyroid Eye Disease symptoms.
Sunday, 1 November 2026: Tepezza is listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Health Landscape
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme listing of Tepezza extends a targeted biologic beyond the intravenous steroid therapies that have long been the standard for Thyroid Eye Disease. It moves treatment for this rare autoimmune condition from the older approach of reducing swelling toward addressing its underlying cause.
Eligible adults with active moderate to severe Thyroid Eye Disease will be able to access Tepezza through the PBS from 1 November 2026. The treatment is given as infusions every three weeks for about six months, rather than weekly, which may reduce travel for patients who currently need regular specialist visits.
The takeaway
Adults with active moderate to severe Thyroid Eye Disease should ask their specialist whether Tepezza is appropriate once the PBS listing takes effect. Early discussion with a specialist may help protect vision and confidence during treatment.
Further reading
Explore more on Diabetes to see how Australians are managing related autoimmune conditions.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hepburnadvocate.
Live Poll
Should Australia's public drug subsidy scheme cover expensive new treatments for rare diseases?
