Please find below information relating to new and amended Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listings implemented on 1^st April 2022. 

This information relates to the administration of these listings by Services Australia. For further information on broader PBS changes, please visit the PBS website. Relevant information and authority application forms have been updated and can be accessed through the Services Australia website.

Cystic fibrosis

Elexacaftor 100 mg with tezacaftor 50 mg and ivacaftor 75 mg and 28 tablets of ivacaftor 150 mg (Trikafta®) are now listed on the PBS for the treatment of cystic fibrosis. Authority applications for initial and continuing treatment can be made in writing.

Growth Hormone
There are some changes to the eligibility criteria for various Somatropin (Genotropin GoQuick®) listings on the PBS for adult growth hormone. Authority applications for initial treatment can be made either in real time using the Online PBS Authorities system or in writing.

Relapsed or refractory primary mediastinal B-Cell lymphoma
The Grandfather clause for Pembrolizumab (Keytruda®) for the treatment of relapsed or refractory primary mediastinal B-Cell lymphoma has been removed.

Castration resistant metastatic carcinoma of the prostate
Olaparib (Lynparza®) 100 mg & 150 mg tablet is now PBS listed for the treatment of Castration resistant metastatic carcinoma of the prostate. Authority applications for initial treatment can be made either in real time using the Online PBS Authorities system or by telephone. Continuing treatment is Authority Required (STREAMLINED).

Chronic myeloid leukaemia, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, and malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumour
Imatinib (Imatab®) 600 mg tablet is now PBS listed for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, and malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumour. Authority applications for initial treatment can be made either in real time using the Online PBS Authorities system or by telephone. Continuing treatment is Authority Required (STREAMLINED).

Idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease
Siltuximab (Sylvant®) 100 mg & 400 mg injection is now PBS listed for treatment of Idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease. Authority applications for initial and continuing treatment can be made either in real time using the Online PBS Authorities system or by telephone.

Human immunodeficiency virus infection
Cabotegravir (Vocabria®) 30 mg tablet and cabotegravir (&) rilpivirine 600mg/3mL (Cabenuva®) modified release injection, are now PBS listed for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus infection. Treatment is Authority Required (STREAMLINED).

Chronic heart failure
Empagliflozin (Jardiance®) 10 mg tablet is now PBS listed for the treatment of chronic heart failure. Treatment is Authority Required (STREAMLINED).

Mild to moderate Crohn’s disease
Budesonide (Entocort®) 3 mg modified release capsule is now PBS listed for the treatment of mild to moderate Crohn’s disease. Treatment is Authority Required (STREAMLINED).

Prevention of preterm birth
Progesterone (Oripro®) 200mg pessary has changes to the allowable maximum quantity and repeats for the prevention of preterm birth. Treatment is Authority Required (STREAMLINED).

Severe asthma
Fluticasone furoate with umeclidinium and vilanterol (Trelegy Ellipta®) is now PBS listed for the treatment of severe asthma. Treatment is Authority Required (STREAMLINED).

Metastatic (Stage IV) HER2 positive breast cancer, adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastro-esophageal junction and Early HER2 positive breast cancer
Trastuzumab (Herzuma®)  I.V. infusion 440mg is a new vial size now PBS listed for the treatment of Metastatic (Stage IV) HER2 positive breast cancer, Metastatic (Stage IV) HER2 positive adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastroesophageal junction & Early HER2 positive breast cancer. Treatment is Authority Required (STREAMLINED).

Relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis
Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada®) is now PBS listed for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Initial and continuing treatment are Authority Required (STREAMLINED).

Human sarcoptic scabies
Ivermectin (Stromectol®) is now PBS listed for the treatment of typical scabies human sarcoptic scabies. Treatment is Authority Required (STREAMLINED).

1 April 2022 delisted PBS listings

Alendronate + colecalciferol (&) calcium carbonate (Item code 9351E) has been delisted from the PBS with “Supply Only” arrangements applied.
Amino acid formula with vitamins and minerals without valine, leucine and isoleucine (Item code 1914R) has been delisted from the PBS with “Supply Only” arrangements applied.

Amino acid formula with vitamins and minerals without phenylalanine and tyrosine (Item code 11151X), has been delisted from the PBS with “Supply Only” arrangements applied. 

Cromoglycate (Item code 8334P) has been delisted from the PBS with “Supply Only” arrangements applied.

Pancreatic extract (item codes 9412J & 9413K), has been delisted from the PBS with “Supply Only” arrangements applied.

Etacrynic acid (item code 8748K) has been delisted from the PBS.

Docosahexaenoic acid with carbohydrate (item code 10040K) has been delisted from the PBS.

Selecting the correct restriction in the Online PBS Authorities system
Balance of Supply (BoS) restrictions are available through the Online PBS Authorities system. New questions and answers (Q&As) have been applied against BoS restrictions for multiple medicines listed on the PBS for multiple Authority Required (Written) programs to ensure prescribers are selecting the correct restriction and treatment phase to determine their patients eligibility. These Q&As will also ensure prescribers are using the correct authority submission channel for the required treatment phase to avoid post compliance activities.

To learn more about these updates, please contact Services Australia directly.

At Practice Managers Australia, we support Practice Managers in both staff recruitment and retention, and ensure that our service and advice is tailored to your specific goals to promote growth and flourishing.

Follow our LinkedIn and Facebook pages for more information.