Abacavir | C4454 | | | HIV infection
Continuing
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised therapy for HIV infection; AND
The treatment must be in combination with other antiretroviral agents. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 4454 |
C4512 | | | HIV infection
Initial
Patient must be antiretroviral treatment naive; AND
The treatment must be in combination with other antiretroviral agents. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 4512 |
| C13920 | | | Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
Patient must be less than 13.00 years of age.
Patient must be unable to take a solid dose form of this drug; AND
The treatment must be in combination with other antiretroviral agents. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
Abacavir with lamivudine | C4527 | | | HIV infection
Initial
Patient must be antiretroviral treatment naive; AND
The treatment must be in combination with other antiretroviral agents.
Patient must be aged 12 years or older; AND
Patient must weigh 40 kg or more. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 4527 |
C4528 | | | HIV infection
Continuing
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised therapy for HIV infection; AND
The treatment must be in combination with other antiretroviral agents.
Patient must be aged 12 years or older; AND
Patient must weigh 40 kg or more. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 4528 |
Abacavir with lamivudine and zidovudine | C4480 | | | HIV infection
Continuing
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised therapy for HIV infection.
Patient must be aged 12 years or older; AND
Patient must weigh 40 kg or more. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 4480 |
C4495 | | | HIV infection
Initial
Patient must be antiretroviral treatment naive.
Patient must be aged 12 years or older; AND
Patient must weigh 40 kg or more. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 4495 |
Abatacept | C14488 | P14488 | | Severe active rheumatoid arthritis
Initial 1 (new patient) or Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 24 months) or Initial 3 (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 24 months) - balance of supply
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 1 (new patient) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 24 months) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 3 (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 24 months) to complete 16 weeks of treatment; AND
The treatment must provide no more than the balance of up to 16 weeks treatment available under the above restrictions. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C14507 | P14507 | | Severe active rheumatoid arthritis
First continuing treatment - balance of supply
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the first continuing treatment restriction to complete 24 weeks treatment; AND
The treatment must provide no more than the balance of up to 24 weeks treatment. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C14519 | P14519 | | Severe active rheumatoid arthritis
First continuing treatment
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Patient must have received this drug as their most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment for this condition; AND
Patient must have demonstrated an adequate response to treatment with this drug; AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment under this restriction; AND
The treatment must be given concomitantly with methotrexate at a dose of at least 7.5 mg weekly.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
An adequate response to treatment is defined as:
an ESR no greater than 25 mm per hour or a CRP level no greater than 15 mg per L or either marker reduced by at least 20% from baseline;
AND either of the following:
(a) a reduction in the total active (swollen and tender) joint count by at least 50% from baseline, where baseline is at least 20 active joints; or
(b) a reduction in the number of the following active joints, from at least 4, by at least 50%:
(i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or
(ii) shoulder and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
Where the baseline active joint count is based on total active joints (i.e. more than 20 active joints), response must be determined according to the reduction in the total number of active joints. Where the baseline is determined on total number of major joints, the response must be determined on the total number of major joints. If only an ESR or CRP level is provided with the initial application, the same marker must be used to determine response.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
An application for the continuing treatment must be accompanied with the assessment of response conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of treatment. This will enable ongoing treatment for those who meet the continuing restriction for PBS-subsidised treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient has either failed or ceased to respond to a PBS-subsidised biological medicine for this condition 5 times, they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C14522 | P14522 | | Severe active rheumatoid arthritis
Initial treatment - Initial 1 (new patient)
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Patient must not have received PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have failed, in the 24 months immediately prior to the date of the application, to achieve an adequate response to a trial of at least 6 months of intensive treatment with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) which must include at least 3 months continuous treatment with at least 2 DMARDs, one of which must be methotrexate at a dose of at least 20 mg weekly plus one of the following: (i) hydroxychloroquine at a dose of at least 200 mg daily; (ii) leflunomide at a dose of at least 10 mg daily; (iii) sulfasalazine at a dose of at least 2 g daily; OR
Patient must have failed, in the 24 months immediately prior to the date of the application, to achieve an adequate response to a trial of at least 6 months of intensive treatment with DMARDs which, if methotrexate is contraindicated according to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)-approved Product Information/cannot be tolerated at a 20 mg weekly dose, must include at least 3 months continuous treatment with at least 2 of the following DMARDs: (i) hydroxychloroquine at a dose of at least 200 mg daily; (ii) leflunomide at a dose of at least 10 mg daily; (iii) sulfasalazine at a dose of at least 2 g daily; OR
Patient must have failed, in the 24 months immediately prior to the date of the application, to achieve an adequate response to a trial of at least 3 months of continuous treatment with a DMARD where 2 of: (i) hydroxychloroquine, (ii) leflunomide, (iii) sulfasalazine, are contraindicated according to the relevant TGA-approved Product Information/cannot be tolerated at the doses specified above in addition to having a contraindication or intolerance to methotrexate: the remaining tolerated DMARD must be trialled at a minimum dose as mentioned above; OR
Patient must have a contraindication/severe intolerance to each of: (i) methotrexate, (ii) hydroxychloroquine, (iii) leflunomide, (iv) sulfasalazine; in such cases, provide details for each of the contraindications/severe intolerances claimed in the authority application; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction; AND
The treatment must be given concomitantly with methotrexate at a dose of at least 7.5 mg weekly.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
If methotrexate is contraindicated according to the TGA-approved product information or cannot be tolerated at a 20 mg weekly dose, the application must include details of the contraindication or intolerance including severity to methotrexate. The maximum tolerated dose of methotrexate must be documented in the application, if applicable.
The application must include details of the DMARDs trialled, their doses and duration of treatment, and all relevant contraindications and/or intolerances including severity.
The requirement to trial at least 2 DMARDs for periods of at least 3 months each can be met using single agents sequentially or by using one or more combinations of DMARDs, however the time on treatment must be at least 6 months.
If the requirement to trial 6 months of intensive DMARD therapy with at least 2 DMARDs cannot be met because of contraindications and/or intolerances of a severity necessitating permanent treatment withdrawal to all of the DMARDs specified above, details of the contraindication or intolerance including severity and dose for each DMARD must be provided in the authority application.
The following criteria indicate failure to achieve an adequate response to DMARD treatment and must be demonstrated in all patients at the time of the initial application:
an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) greater than 25 mm per hour and/or a C-reactive protein (CRP) level greater than 15 mg per L; AND either
(a) a total active joint count of at least 20 active (swollen and tender) joints; or
(b) at least 4 active joints from the following list of major joints:
(i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or
(ii) shoulder and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
The joint count and ESR and/or CRP must be determined at the completion of the 6 month intensive DMARD trial, but prior to ceasing DMARD therapy. All measures must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of initial application.
If the requirement to demonstrate an elevated ESR or CRP cannot be met, the application must state the reasons why this criterion cannot be satisfied. Treatment with prednisolone dosed at 7.5 mg or higher daily (or equivalent) or a parenteral steroid within the past month (intramuscular or intravenous methylprednisolone or equivalent) is an acceptable reason.
Where the baseline active joint count is based on total active joints (i.e. more than 20 active joints), response must be determined according to the reduction in the total number of active joints. Where the baseline is determined on total number of major joints, the response must be determined on the total number of major joints. If only an ESR or CRP level is provided with the initial application, the same marker must be used to determine response.
At the time of authority application, medical practitioners should request the appropriate number of vials to provide sufficient drug, based on the weight of the patient, for a single infusion.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
Initial treatment with an I.V. loading dose: Two completed authority prescriptions must be submitted with the initial application. One prescription must be for the I.V. loading dose for sufficient vials for one dose based on the patient's weight with no repeats. The second prescription must be written for the subcutaneous formulation, with a maximum quantity of 4 and up to 3 repeats.
Initial treatment with no loading dose: One completed authority prescription must be submitted with the initial application. The prescription must be written with a maximum quantity of 4 and up to 3 repeats.
An assessment of a patient's response to this initial course of treatment must be conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks prior the completion of this course of treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C14555 | | | Severe active rheumatoid arthritis
Subsequent continuing treatment
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Patient must have received this drug as their most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment for this condition under the First continuing treatment restriction; OR
Patient must have received this drug under this treatment phase as their most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine; AND
Patient must have demonstrated an adequate response to treatment with this drug; AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment under this restriction; AND
The treatment must be given concomitantly with methotrexate at a dose of at least 7.5 mg weekly.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
An adequate response to treatment is defined as:
an ESR no greater than 25 mm per hour or a CRP level no greater than 15 mg per L or either marker reduced by at least 20% from baseline;
AND either of the following:
(a) a reduction in the total active (swollen and tender) joint count by at least 50% from baseline, where baseline is at least 20 active joints; or
(b) a reduction in the number of the following active joints, from at least 4, by at least 50%:
(i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or
(ii) shoulder and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
The assessment of response to treatment must be documented in the patient's medical records and must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of the authority application.
Where the baseline active joint count is based on total active joints (i.e. more than 20 active joints), response must be determined according to the reduction in the total number of active joints. Where the baseline is determined on total number of major joints, the response must be determined on the total number of major joints. If only an ESR or CRP level is provided with the initial application, the same marker must be used to determine response.
If a patient has either failed or ceased to respond to a PBS-subsidised biological medicine for this condition 5 times, they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition.
If the requirement for concomitant treatment with methotrexate cannot be met because of a contraindication and/or severe intolerance, details must be documented in the patient's medical records. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 14555 |
| C14560 | P14560 | | Severe active rheumatoid arthritis
Initial treatment - Initial 3 (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 24 months)
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have a break in treatment of 24 months or more from the most recent PBS-subsidised biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must not have failed to respond to previous PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; AND
Patient must not have already failed/ceased to respond to PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment for this condition 5 times; AND
The condition must have an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) greater than 25 mm per hour; OR
The condition must have a C-reactive protein (CRP) level greater than 15 mg per L; AND
The condition must have either: (a) a total active joint count of at least 20 active (swollen and tender) joints; (b) at least 4 active major joints; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction; AND
The treatment must be given concomitantly with methotrexate at a dose of at least 7.5 mg weekly.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
Major joints are defined as (i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or (ii) shoulder and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
All measures of joint count and ESR and/or CRP must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of initial application.
If the requirement to demonstrate an elevated ESR or CRP cannot be met, the application must state the reasons why this criterion cannot be satisfied. Treatment with prednisolone dosed at 7.5 mg or higher daily (or equivalent) or a parenteral steroid within the past month (intramuscular or intravenous methylprednisolone or equivalent) is an acceptable reason.
Where the baseline active joint count is based on total active joints (i.e. more than 20 active joints), response must be determined according to the reduction in the total number of active joints. Where the baseline is determined on total number of major joints, the response must be determined on the total number of major joints. If only an ESR or CRP level is provided with the initial application, the same marker must be used to determine response.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
Initial treatment with an I.V. loading dose: Two completed authority prescriptions must be submitted with the initial application. One prescription must be for the I.V. loading dose for sufficient vials for one dose based on the patient's weight with no repeats. The second prescription must be written for the subcutaneous formulation, with a maximum quantity of 4 and up to 3 repeats.
Initial treatment with no loading dose: One completed authority prescription must be submitted with the initial application. The prescription must be written with a maximum quantity of 4 and up to 3 repeats.
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C14583 | P14583 | | Severe active rheumatoid arthritis
Initial treatment - Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 24 months)
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Patient must have received prior PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition; OR
Patient must have received prior PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine under the paediatric Severe active juvenile idiopathic arthritis/Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis indication; AND
Patient must not have failed to respond to previous PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; AND
Patient must not have already failed/ceased to respond to PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment for this condition 5 times; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction; AND
The treatment must be given concomitantly with methotrexate at a dose of at least 7.5 mg weekly.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
Patients who have received PBS-subsided treatment for paediatric Severe active juvenile idiopathic arthritis or Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis where the condition has progressed to Rheumatoid arthritis may receive treatment through this restriction using existing baseline scores.
Where a patient is changing from a biosimilar medicine for the treatment of this condition, the prescriber must provide baseline disease severity indicators with this application, in addition to the response assessment outlined below.
An adequate response to treatment is defined as:
an ESR no greater than 25 mm per hour or a CRP level no greater than 15 mg per L or either marker reduced by at least 20% from baseline;
AND either of the following:
(a) a reduction in the total active (swollen and tender) joint count by at least 50% from baseline, where baseline is at least 20 active joints; or
(b) a reduction in the number of the following active joints, from at least 4, by at least 50%:
(i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or
(ii) shoulder and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
An application for a patient who is either changing treatment from another biological medicine to this drug or recommencing therapy with this drug after a treatment break of less than 24 months, must be accompanied with details of the evidence of a response to the patient's most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine, within the timeframes specified below.
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
Where the baseline active joint count is based on total active joints (i.e. more than 20 active joints), response must be determined according to the reduction in the total number of active joints. Where the baseline is determined on total number of major joints, the response must be determined on the total number of major joints. If only an ESR or CRP level is provided with the initial application, the same marker must be used to determine response.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
Initial treatment with an I.V. loading dose: Two completed authority prescriptions must be submitted with the initial application. One prescription must be for the I.V. loading dose for sufficient vials for one dose based on the patient's weight with no repeats. The second prescription must be written for the subcutaneous formulation, with a maximum quantity of 4 and up to 3 repeats.
Initial treatment with no loading dose: One completed authority prescription must be submitted with the initial application. The prescription must be written with a maximum quantity of 4 and up to 3 repeats.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition.
A patient who has demonstrated a response to a course of rituximab must have a PBS-subsidised biological therapy treatment-free period of at least 22 weeks, immediately following the second infusion, before swapping to an alternate biological medicine. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C14604 | P14604 | | Severe active rheumatoid arthritis
Subsequent continuing treatment
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Patient must have received this drug as their most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment for this condition under the First continuing treatment restriction; OR
Patient must have received this drug under this treatment phase as their most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine; AND
Patient must have demonstrated an adequate response to treatment with this drug; AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment under this restriction; AND
The treatment must be given concomitantly with methotrexate at a dose of at least 7.5 mg weekly.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
An adequate response to treatment is defined as:
an ESR no greater than 25 mm per hour or a CRP level no greater than 15 mg per L or either marker reduced by at least 20% from baseline;
AND either of the following:
(a) a reduction in the total active (swollen and tender) joint count by at least 50% from baseline, where baseline is at least 20 active joints; or
(b) a reduction in the number of the following active joints, from at least 4, by at least 50%:
(i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or
(ii) shoulder and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
The assessment of response to treatment must be documented in the patient's medical records and must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of the authority application.
Where the baseline active joint count is based on total active joints (i.e. more than 20 active joints), response must be determined according to the reduction in the total number of active joints. Where the baseline is determined on total number of major joints, the response must be determined on the total number of major joints. If only an ESR or CRP level is provided with the initial application, the same marker must be used to determine response.
If a patient has either failed or ceased to respond to a PBS-subsidised biological medicine for this condition 5 times, they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition.
If the requirement for concomitant treatment with methotrexate cannot be met because of a contraindication and/or severe intolerance, details must be documented in the patient's medical records. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 14604 |
Abemaciclib | C13035 | | | Locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer
Initial treatment
Patient must be untreated with cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor therapy; OR
Patient must have developed an intolerance to another CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy (other than this drug) of a severity necessitating permanent treatment withdrawal; AND
The condition must be hormone receptor positive; AND
The condition must be human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) negative; AND
The condition must be inoperable; AND
Patient must have a World Health Organisation (WHO) Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status score of 2 or less; AND
The treatment must be in combination, where the patient has never been treated with endocrine therapy for advanced/metastatic disease, with one of (i) a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor, (ii) fulvestrant; OR
The treatment must be in combination, where the patient has recurrence/progressive disease despite being treated with endocrine therapy for advanced/metastatic disease, with fulvestrant only; AND
The treatment must not be in combination with another cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor therapy.
Patient must not be premenopausal. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C13036 | | | Locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer
Continuing treatment
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; AND
Patient must not have developed disease progression while being treated with this drug for this condition; AND
The treatment must be in combination with one of: (i) non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor, (ii) fulvestrant; AND
The treatment must not be in combination with another cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor therapy.
Patient must not be premenopausal. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
Abiraterone | C13945 | | | Castration resistant metastatic carcinoma of the prostate
The treatment must be used in combination with a corticosteroid; AND
The treatment must not be used in combination with chemotherapy; AND
Patient must have a WHO performance status of 2 or less; AND
The treatment must not be a PBS benefit where disease progression occurs whilst being treated with any of: (i) a combination treatment containing the individual drugs in one pharmaceutical benefit, (ii) the individual drugs obtained as separate pharmaceutical benefits; AND
Patient must only receive subsidy for one novel hormonal drug per lifetime for prostate cancer (regardless of whether a drug was subsidised under a metastatic/non-metastatic indication); OR
Patient must only receive subsidy for a subsequent novel hormonal drug where there has been a severe intolerance to another novel hormonal drug leading to permanent treatment cessation. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
Abiraterone and methylprednisolone | C13992 | | | Castration resistant metastatic carcinoma of the prostate
The treatment must not be used in combination with chemotherapy; AND
Patient must have a WHO performance status of 2 or less; AND
The treatment must not be a PBS benefit where disease progression occurs whilst being treated with any of: (i) a combination treatment containing the individual drugs in one pharmaceutical benefit, (ii) the individual drugs obtained as separate pharmaceutical benefits; AND
Patient must only receive subsidy for one novel hormonal drug per lifetime for prostate cancer (regardless of whether a drug was subsidised under a metastatic/non-metastatic indication); OR
Patient must only receive subsidy for a subsequent novel hormonal drug where there has been a severe intolerance to another novel hormonal drug leading to permanent treatment cessation. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
Acalabrutinib | C12495 | P12495 | | Mantle cell lymphoma
Initial treatment
The condition must have relapsed or be refractory to at least one prior therapy; AND
Patient must have a WHO performance status of 0 or 1; AND
The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised therapy for this condition; AND
Patient must be untreated with Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy; OR
Patient must have developed intolerance to another Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor of a severity necessitating permanent treatment withdrawal, when treated for this PBS indication. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C12500 | P12500 | | Mantle cell lymphoma
Continuing treatment
The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised therapy for this condition; AND
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; AND
Patient must not have developed disease progression while being treated with this drug for this condition. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C14788 | P14788 | | Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)
Treatment of relapsed/refractory disease
The condition must have relapsed or be refractory to at least one prior therapy; AND
The treatment must only be prescribed for a patient with active disease in accordance with the International Workshop on CLL (iwCLL) guidance (latest version) in relation to when to prescribe drug treatment for this condition; AND
The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised systemic anti-cancer therapy for this PBS indication.
Patient must not be undergoing retreatment (second/subsequent treatment course) with this drug where prior treatment of CLL/SLL with this same drug was unable to prevent disease progression; AND
Patient must be undergoing treatment through this treatment phase listing for the first time (initial treatment); OR
Patient must be undergoing continuing treatment through this treatment phase listing, with disease progression being absent. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C14795 | P14795 | | Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)
First line drug treatment of this indication - as monotherapy
The condition must be untreated with acalabrutinib at the time of the first dose of this drug; OR
Patient must have developed an intolerance of a severity necessitating permanent treatment withdrawal following use of another drug PBS indicated as first-line drug treatment of CLL/SLL; AND
The treatment must only be prescribed for a patient with active disease in accordance with the International Workshop on CLL (iwCLL) guidance (latest version) in relation to when to prescribe drug treatment for this condition; AND
The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised systemic anti-cancer therapy for this PBS indication.
Patient must be undergoing initial treatment with this drug - this is the first prescription for this drug; OR
Patient must be undergoing continuing treatment with this drug - the condition has not progressed whilst the patient has actively been on this drug. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C14800 | P14800 | | Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)
First line drug treatment of this indication - in combination with obinutuzumab
The condition must be untreated with acalabrutinib at the time of the first dose of this drug; OR
Patient must have developed an intolerance of a severity necessitating permanent treatment withdrawal following use of another drug PBS indicated as first-line drug treatment of CLL/SLL; AND
The treatment must only be prescribed for a patient with active disease in accordance with the International Workshop on CLL (iwCLL) guidance (latest version) in relation to when to prescribe drug treatment for this condition; AND
The treatment must be initiated as a monotherapy for 1 Cycle with treatment in combination with obinutuzumab from Cycle 2 to 7 (refer to Product Information for timing of obinutuzumab and acalabrutinib doses) after which treatment must be monotherapy.
Patient must be undergoing initial treatment with this drug - this is the first prescription for this drug; OR
Patient must be undergoing continuing treatment with this drug - the condition has not progressed whilst the patient has actively been on this drug. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
Acamprosate | C5366 | | | Alcohol dependence
The treatment must be part of a comprehensive treatment program with the goal of maintaining abstinence. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 5366 |
Aciclovir | C5936 | P5936 | | Initial moderate to severe genital herpes
Microbiological confirmation of diagnosis [viral culture, antigen detection or nucleic acid amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)] is desirable but need not delay treatment. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 5936 |
C5942 | P5942 | | Recurrent moderate to severe genital herpes
Episodic treatment or suppressive therapy
Microbiological confirmation of diagnosis [viral culture, antigen detection or nucleic acid amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)] is desirable but need not delay treatment. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 5942 |
C5959 | | | Herpes zoster ophthalmicus | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 5959 |
C5964 | | | Herpes simplex keratitis | |
C5965 | | | Herpes simplex keratitis | |
C5967 | | | Herpes zoster
The treatment must be administered within 72 hours of the onset of the rash. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 5967 |
Acitretin | C5727 | | | Severe disorders of keratinisation | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 5727 |
C5789 | | | Severe intractable psoriasis | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 5789 |
Aclidinium | C4516 | | | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) | |
Aclidinium with formoterol | C7798 | | | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Patient must have COPD symptoms that persist despite regular bronchodilator treatment with a long acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA); OR
Patient must have COPD symptoms that persist despite regular bronchodilator treatment with a long acting beta 2 agonist (LABA); OR
Patient must have been stabilised on a combination of a LAMA and a LABA. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 7798 |
Adalimumab | C9064 | P9064 | | Severe psoriatic arthritis
Initial 1 (new patient) or Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 5 years) or Initial 3 (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 5 years) - balance of supply
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 1 (new patient) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 5 years) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 3 (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 5 years) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; AND
The treatment must provide no more than the balance of up to 16 weeks treatment available under the above restrictions.
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of psoriatic arthritis. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C9386 | P9386 | | Severe active juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Initial treatment - Initial 1 (new patient) or Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after break of less than 24 months) or Initial 3 (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 24 months) - balance of supply
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 1 (new patient) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 24 months) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 3 (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 24 months) to complete 16 weeks of treatment; AND
The treatment must provide no more than the balance of up to 16 weeks treatment available under the above restrictions. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C9715 | P9715 | | Moderate to severe ulcerative colitis
Initial 1 (new patient) or Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 5 years) or Initial 3 (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 5 years) - balance of supply
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)]; OR
Must be treated by a paediatrician; OR
Must be treated by a specialist paediatric gastroenterologist.
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 1 (new patient) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 5 years) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 3 (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 5 years) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; AND
The treatment must provide no more than the balance of up to 16 weeks treatment available under the above restrictions. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C11107 | P11107 | | Severe chronic plaque psoriasis
Initial treatment - Initial 1, Whole body or Face, hand, foot (new patient) or Initial 2, Whole body or Face, hand, foot (change or re-commencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 5 years) or Initial 3, Whole body or Face, hand, foot (re-commencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 5 years) - balance of supply
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 1, Whole body (new patient) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 2, Whole body (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 5 years) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 3, Whole body (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 5 years) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 1, Face, hand, foot (new patient) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 2, Face, hand, foot (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 5 years) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 3, Face, hand, foot (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 5 years) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; AND
The treatment must be as systemic monotherapy (other than methotrexate); AND
The treatment must provide no more than the balance of up to 16 weeks treatment available under the above restrictions.
Must be treated by a dermatologist. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C11523 | P11523 | | Severe psoriatic arthritis
Subsequent continuing treatment
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of psoriatic arthritis.
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition under the First continuing treatment restriction; AND
Patient must have demonstrated an adequate response to treatment with this drug; AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment per subsequent continuing treatment course authorised under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 18 years or older.
An adequate response to treatment is defined as:
an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) no greater than 25 mm per hour or a C-reactive protein (CRP) level no greater than 15 mg per L or either marker reduced by at least 20% from baseline; and
either of the following:
(a) a reduction in the total active (swollen and tender) joint count by at least 50% from baseline, where baseline is at least 20 active joints; or
(b) a reduction in the number of the following major active joints, from at least 4, by at least 50%:
(i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or
(ii) shoulder and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
The same indices of disease severity used to establish baseline at the commencement of treatment with each initial treatment application must be used to determine response for all subsequent continuing treatments.
The measurement of response to the prior course of therapy must have been conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy with this drug and must be documented in the patient's medical records.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 11523 |
C11524 | P11524 | | Complex refractory Fistulising Crohn disease
Subsequent continuing treatment
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)].
Patient must have received this drug as their most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological agent treatment for this condition in this treatment cycle; AND
Patient must have demonstrated an adequate response to treatment with this drug for this condition.
An adequate response is defined as:
(a) a decrease from baseline in the number of open draining fistulae of greater than or equal to 50%; and/or
(b) a marked reduction in drainage of all fistula(e) from baseline, together with less pain and induration as reported by the patient.
The measurement of response to the prior course of therapy must be documented in the patient's medical notes.
Patients are eligible to receive continuing treatment with this drug in courses of up to 24 weeks providing they continue to sustain a response.
A maximum of 24 weeks treatment will be authorised under this restriction. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 11524 |
C11529 | P11529 | | Moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa
Subsequent continuing treatment
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition under the First continuing treatment restriction; AND
Patient must have demonstrated a response to treatment with this drug for this condition.
Must be treated by a dermatologist.
A response to treatment is defined as:
Achieving Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response (HiSCR) of a 50% reduction in AN count compared to baseline with no increase in abscesses or draining fistulae.
The measurement of response to the prior course of therapy must be documented in the patient's medical notes.
A maximum of 24 weeks treatment will be authorised under this restriction per continuing treatment. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 11529 |
C11579 | P11579 | | Moderate to severe ulcerative colitis
Subsequent continuing treatment
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)]; OR
Must be treated by a paediatrician; OR
Must be treated by a specialist paediatric gastroenterologist.
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition under the First continuing treatment restriction; AND
Patient must have demonstrated or sustained an adequate response to treatment by having a partial Mayo clinic score less than or equal to 2, with no subscore greater than 1 while receiving treatment with this drug; OR
Patient must have demonstrated or sustained an adequate response to treatment by having a Paediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) score less than 10 while receiving treatment with this drug if aged 6 to 17 years; AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be 6 years of age or older.
Patients are eligible to receive continuing treatment with this drug in courses of up to 24 weeks providing they continue to sustain a response.
The measurement of response to the prior course of therapy must be documented in the patient's medical notes.
Patients who have failed to maintain a partial Mayo clinic score of less than or equal to 2, with no subscore greater than 1, or, patients who have failed to maintain a Paediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) score of less than 10 (if aged 6 to 17 years) with continuing treatment with this drug, will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction.
If patients aged 6 to 17 years fail to respond to PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment 3 times (twice with one agent) they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised biological medicine therapy in this treatment cycle. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 11579 |
C11604 | P11604 | | Severe active juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Subsequent continuing treatment
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition under the First continuing treatment restriction; AND
Patient must have demonstrated an adequate response to treatment with this drug; AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment per continuing treatment course authorised under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 18 years or older.
An adequate response to treatment is defined as:
an ESR no greater than 25 mm per hour or a CRP level no greater than 15 mg per L or either marker reduced by at least 20% from baseline;
AND either of the following:
(a) an active joint count of fewer than 10 active (swollen and tender) joints; or
(b) a reduction in the active (swollen and tender) joint count by at least 50% from baseline; or
(c) a reduction in the number of the following active joints, from at least 4, by at least 50%:
(i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or
(ii) shoulder, cervical spine and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
Where the baseline active joint count is based on total active joints (i.e. more than 20 active joints), response will be determined according to the reduction in the total number of active joints. Where the baseline is determined on total number of major joints, the response must be demonstrated on the total number of major joints. If only an ESR or CRP level is provided with the initial application, the same marker will be used to determine response.
The measurement of response to the prior course of therapy must be documented in the patient's medical notes.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction.
If a patient fails to respond to PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment 3 times (once with each agent) they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised biological medicine therapy in this treatment cycle.
Patients are eligible to receive continuing treatment with this drug in courses of up to 24 weeks providing they continue to sustain a response. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 11604 |
C11606 | P11606 | | Severe chronic plaque psoriasis
Subsequent continuing treatment, Face, hand, foot
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition under the First continuing treatment restriction; AND
Patient must have demonstrated an adequate response to their most recent course of treatment with this drug; AND
The treatment must be as systemic monotherapy (other than methotrexate); AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment per subsequent continuing treatment course authorised under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 18 years or older.
Must be treated by a dermatologist.
An adequate response to treatment is defined as the plaque or plaques assessed prior to biological treatment showing:
(i) a reduction in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) symptom subscores for all 3 of erythema, thickness and scaling, to slight or better, or sustained at this level, as compared to the baseline values; or
(ii) a reduction by 75% or more in the skin area affected, or sustained at this level, as compared to the baseline value for this treatment cycle.
The measurement of response to the prior course of therapy must be documented in the patient's medical notes.
The PASI assessment for continuing treatment must be performed on the same affected area as assessed at baseline.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 11606 |
C11631 | P11631 | | Severe Crohn disease
Subsequent continuing treatment
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)].
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition under the First continuing treatment restriction; AND
Patient must have an adequate response to this drug defined as a reduction in Crohn Disease Activity Index (CDAI) Score to a level no greater than 150 if assessed by CDAI or if affected by extensive small intestine disease; OR
Patient must have an adequate response to this drug defined as (a) an improvement of intestinal inflammation as demonstrated by: (i) blood: normalisation of the platelet count, or an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) level no greater than 25 mm per hour, or a C-reactive protein (CRP) level no greater than 15 mg per L; or (ii) faeces: normalisation of lactoferrin or calprotectin level; or (iii) evidence of mucosal healing, as demonstrated by diagnostic imaging findings, compared to the baseline assessment; or (b) reversal of high faecal output state; or (c) avoidance of the need for surgery or total parenteral nutrition (TPN), if affected by short gut syndrome, extensive small intestine or is an ostomy patient; AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 18 years or older.
The measurement of response to the prior course of therapy must be documented in the patient's medical notes.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 11631 |
C11635 | P11635 | | Severe chronic plaque psoriasis
Subsequent continuing treatment, Whole body
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition under the First continuing treatment restriction; AND
Patient must have demonstrated an adequate response to treatment with this drug; AND
The treatment must be as systemic monotherapy (other than methotrexate); AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment per subsequent continuing treatment course authorised under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 18 years or older.
Must be treated by a dermatologist.
An adequate response to treatment is defined as:
A Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score which is reduced by 75% or more, or is sustained at this level, when compared with the baseline value for this treatment cycle.
The measurement of response to the prior course of therapy must be documented in the patient's medical notes.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 11635 |
| C11704 | P11704 | | Severe Crohn disease
First continuing treatment
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)].
Patient must have received this drug as their most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment for this condition; AND
Patient must have an adequate response to this drug defined as a reduction in Crohn Disease Activity Index (CDAI) Score to a level no greater than 150 if assessed by CDAI or if affected by extensive small intestine disease; OR
Patient must have an adequate response to this drug defined as (a) an improvement of intestinal inflammation as demonstrated by: (i) blood: normalisation of the platelet count, or an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) level no greater than 25 mm per hour, or a C-reactive protein (CRP) level no greater than 15 mg per L; or (ii) faeces: normalisation of lactoferrin or calprotectin level; or (iii) evidence of mucosal healing, as demonstrated by diagnostic imaging findings, compared to the baseline assessment; or (b) reversal of high faecal output state; or (c) avoidance of the need for surgery or total parenteral nutrition (TPN), if affected by short gut syndrome, extensive small intestine or is an ostomy patient; AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 18 years or older.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
An application for the continuing treatment must be accompanied with the assessment of response conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of treatment. This will enable ongoing treatment for those who meet the continuing restriction for PBS-subsidised treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction.
Patients are eligible to receive continuing treatment with this drug in courses of up to 24 weeks providing they continue to sustain a response.
At the time of the authority application, medical practitioners should request the appropriate quantity and number of repeats to provide sufficient dose. Up to a maximum of 5 repeats will be authorised.
Where fewer than 5 repeats are requested at the time of the application, authority approvals for sufficient repeats to complete a maximum of 24 weeks of treatment with this drug may be requested through the balance of supply restriction. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C11709 | P11709 | | Severe Crohn disease
Balance of supply
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)].
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 1 (new patient) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 5 years) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 3 (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 5 years) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the first continuing treatment or subsequent continuing treatment restrictions to complete 24 weeks of treatment; AND
The treatment must provide no more than the balance of up to 16 weeks therapy available under Initial 1, 2 or 3 treatment; OR
The treatment must provide no more than the balance of up to 24 weeks therapy available under first continuing treatment or subsequent continuing treatment. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C11711 | P11711 | | Severe Crohn disease
Subsequent continuing treatment
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)].
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition under the First continuing treatment restriction; AND
Patient must have an adequate response to this drug defined as a reduction in Crohn Disease Activity Index (CDAI) Score to a level no greater than 150 if assessed by CDAI or if affected by extensive small intestine disease; OR
Patient must have an adequate response to this drug defined as (a) an improvement of intestinal inflammation as demonstrated by: (i) blood: normalisation of the platelet count, or an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) level no greater than 25 mm per hour, or a C-reactive protein (CRP) level no greater than 15 mg per L; or (ii) faeces: normalisation of lactoferrin or calprotectin level; or (iii) evidence of mucosal healing, as demonstrated by diagnostic imaging findings, compared to the baseline assessment; or (b) reversal of high faecal output state; or (c) avoidance of the need for surgery or total parenteral nutrition (TPN), if affected by short gut syndrome, extensive small intestine or is an ostomy patient; AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 18 years or older.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
An application for the continuing treatment must be accompanied with the assessment of response conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of treatment. This will enable ongoing treatment for those who meet the continuing restriction for PBS-subsidised treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug within this treatment cycle, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction.
Patients are eligible to receive continuing treatment with this drug in courses of up to 24 weeks providing they continue to sustain a response.
At the time of the authority application, medical practitioners should request the appropriate quantity and number of repeats to provide sufficient dose. Up to a maximum of 5 repeats will be authorised.
Where fewer than 5 repeats are requested at the time of the application, authority approvals for sufficient repeats to complete a maximum of 24 weeks of treatment with this drug may be requested through the balance of supply restriction. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C11713 | P11713 | | Severe Crohn disease
Balance of supply for paediatric patient
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 1 (new patient) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 5 years) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 3 (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 5 years) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the first continuing treatment or subsequent continuing treatment restrictions to complete 24 weeks of treatment; AND
The treatment must provide no more than the balance of up to 16 weeks therapy available under Initial 1, 2 or 3 treatment; OR
The treatment must provide no more than the balance of up to 24 weeks therapy available under first continuing treatment or subsequent continuing treatment.
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)]; OR
Must be treated by a paediatrician; OR
Must be treated by a specialist paediatric gastroenterologist. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C11715 | P11715 | | Severe Crohn disease
Initial treatment - Initial 1 (new patient)
Patient must have confirmed diagnosis of Crohn disease, defined by standard clinical, endoscopic and/or imaging features including histological evidence; AND
Patient must have failed to achieve an adequate response to 2 of the following 3 conventional prior therapies including: (i) a tapered course of steroids, starting at a dose of at least 1 mg per kg or 40 mg (whichever is the lesser) prednisolone (or equivalent), over a 6 week period; (ii) an 8 week course of enteral nutrition; or (iii) immunosuppressive therapy including azathioprine at a dose of at least 2 mg per kg daily for 3 or more months, or, 6-mercaptopurine at a dose of at least 1 mg per kg daily for 3 or more months, or, methotrexate at a dose of at least 10 mg per square metre weekly for 3 or more months; OR
Patient must have a documented intolerance of a severity necessitating permanent treatment withdrawal or a contra-indication to each of prednisolone (or equivalent), azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine and methotrexate; AND
Patient must have, at the time of application, disease severity considered to be severe as demonstrated by a Paediatric Crohn Disease Activity Index (PCDAI) Score greater than or equal to 40 preferably whilst still on treatment, but no longer than 4 weeks following cessation of the most recent prior conventional treatment and which is no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 6 to 17 years inclusive.
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)]; OR
Must be treated by a paediatrician; OR
Must be treated by a specialist paediatric gastroenterologist.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) two completed authority prescription forms; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
If treatment with any of the specified prior conventional drugs is contraindicated according to the relevant TGA-approved Product Information, please provide details at the time of application. If intolerance to treatment develops during the relevant period of use, which is of a severity necessitating permanent treatment withdrawal, please provide details of the degree of this toxicity at the time of application. Details of the accepted toxicities including severity can be found on the Services Australia website (www.servicesaustralia.gov.au).
An assessment of a patient's response to this initial course of treatment must be conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks prior the completion of this course of treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C11716 | P11716 | | Severe Crohn disease
Initial treatment - Initial 3 (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 5 years)
Patient must have received prior PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have had a break in treatment of 5 years or more from the most recently approved PBS-subsidised biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have confirmed Crohn disease, defined by standard clinical, endoscopic and/or imaging features, including histological evidence, with the diagnosis confirmed by a gastroenterologist, consultant physician, paediatrician or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist; AND
Patient must have, at the time of application, disease severity considered to be severe as demonstrated by a Paediatric Crohn Disease Activity Index (PCDAI) Score greater than or equal to 40; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 6 to 17 years inclusive.
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)]; OR
Must be treated by a paediatrician; OR
Must be treated by a specialist paediatric gastroenterologist.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) two completed authority prescription forms; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
The PCDAI assessment must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application.
A PCDAI assessment of the patient's response to this initial course of treatment must be made following a minimum of 12 weeks therapy so that there is adequate time for a response to be demonstrated.
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C11717 | P11717 | | Severe Crohn disease
Subsequent continuing treatment of Crohn disease in a paediatric patient assessed by PCDAI
Patient must have a documented history of severe Crohn disease; AND
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition under the First continuing treatment restriction; AND
Patient must have a reduction in PCDAI Score by at least 15 points from baseline value; AND
Patient must have a total PCDAI score of 40 points or less; AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 6 to 17 years inclusive.
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)]; OR
Must be treated by a paediatrician; OR
Must be treated by a specialist paediatric gastroenterologist.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
The PCDAI assessment must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application.
An application for the continuing treatment must be accompanied with the assessment of response conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of treatment. This will enable ongoing treatment for those who meet the continuing restriction for PBS-subsidised treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
Patients are only eligible to receive subsequent continuing PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug in courses of up to 24 weeks providing they continue to sustain the response.
Where fewer than 5 repeats are requested at the time of the application, authority approvals for sufficient repeats to complete a maximum of 24 weeks of treatment with this drug may be requested through the balance of supply restriction. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C11718 | P11718 | | Severe Crohn disease
Subsequent continuing treatment of Crohn disease in a paediatric patient assessed by PCDAI
Patient must have a documented history of severe Crohn disease; AND
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition under the First continuing treatment restriction; AND
Patient must have a reduction in PCDAI Score by at least 15 points from baseline value; AND
Patient must have a total PCDAI score of 40 points or less; AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 6 to 17 years inclusive.
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)]; OR
Must be treated by a paediatrician; OR
Must be treated by a specialist paediatric gastroenterologist.
The measurement of response to the prior course of therapy must be documented in the patient's medical notes.
The PCDAI assessment must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application.
Patients are only eligible to receive subsequent continuing PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug in courses of up to 24 weeks providing they continue to sustain the response. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 11718 |
| C11759 | P11759 | | Severe Crohn disease
Initial treatment - Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 5 years)
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)].
Patient must have received prior PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition in this treatment cycle; AND
Patient must not have failed, or ceased to respond to, PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition during the current treatment cycle; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 18 years or older.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) two completed authority prescription forms; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
Where fewer than 2 repeats are requested at the time of the application, authority approvals for sufficient repeats to complete a maximum of 16 weeks of treatment with adalimumab may be requested under the balance of supply restriction.
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C11761 | P11761 | | Severe Crohn disease
Initial treatment - Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 5 years)
Patient must have a documented history of severe Crohn disease; AND
Patient must have received prior PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition in this treatment cycle; AND
Patient must not have failed, or ceased to respond to, PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition more than once in the current treatment cycle; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 6 to 17 years inclusive.
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)]; OR
Must be treated by a paediatrician; OR
Must be treated by a specialist paediatric gastroenterologist.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) two completed authority prescription forms; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C11762 | P11762 | | Severe Crohn disease
Initial treatment - Initial 1 (new patient)
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)].
Patient must be aged 18 years or older.
Patient must have confirmed severe Crohn disease, defined by standard clinical, endoscopic and/or imaging features, including histological evidence, with the diagnosis confirmed by a gastroenterologist or a consultant physician; AND
Patient must have failed to achieve an adequate response to prior systemic therapy with a tapered course of steroids, starting at a dose of at least 40 mg prednisolone (or equivalent), over a 6 week period; AND
Patient must have failed to achieve adequate response to prior systemic immunosuppressive therapy with azathioprine at a dose of at least 2 mg per kg daily for 3 or more consecutive months; OR
Patient must have failed to achieve adequate response to prior systemic immunosuppressive therapy with 6-mercaptopurine at a dose of at least 1 mg per kg daily for 3 or more consecutive months; OR
Patient must have failed to achieve adequate response to prior systemic immunosuppressive therapy with methotrexate at a dose of at least 15 mg weekly for 3 or more consecutive months; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction; AND
Patient must have a Crohn Disease Activity Index (CDAI) Score greater than or equal to 300 as evidence of failure to achieve an adequate response to prior systemic therapy; OR
Patient must have short gut syndrome with diagnostic imaging or surgical evidence, or have had an ileostomy or colostomy; and must have evidence of intestinal inflammation; and must have evidence of failure to achieve an adequate response to prior systemic therapy as specified below; OR
Patient must have extensive intestinal inflammation affecting more than 50 cm of the small intestine as evidenced by radiological imaging; and must have a Crohn Disease Activity Index (CDAI) Score greater than or equal to 220; and must have evidence of failure to achieve an adequate response to prior systemic therapy as specified below.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) two completed authority prescription forms; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
Evidence of failure to achieve an adequate response to prior therapy must include at least one of the following:
(a) patient must have evidence of intestinal inflammation;
(b) patient must be assessed clinically as being in a high faecal output state;
(c) patient must be assessed clinically as requiring surgery or total parenteral nutrition (TPN) as the next therapeutic option, in the absence of this drug, if affected by short gut syndrome, extensive small intestine disease or is an ostomy patient.
Evidence of intestinal inflammation includes:
(i) blood: higher than normal platelet count, or, an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) greater than 25 mm per hour, or, a C-reactive protein (CRP) level greater than 15 mg per L; or
(ii) faeces: higher than normal lactoferrin or calprotectin level; or
(iii) diagnostic imaging: demonstration of increased uptake of intravenous contrast with thickening of the bowel wall or mesenteric lymphadenopathy or fat streaking in the mesentery.
Where fewer than 2 repeats are requested at the time of the application, authority approvals for sufficient repeats to complete a maximum of 16 weeks of treatment with adalimumab may be requested under the balance of supply restriction.
All assessments, pathology tests and diagnostic imaging studies must be made within 4 weeks of the date of application and should be performed preferably whilst still on conventional treatment, but no longer than 4 weeks following cessation of the most recent prior treatment.
If treatment with any of the specified prior conventional drugs is contraindicated according to the relevant TGA-approved Product Information, please provide details at the time of application.
If intolerance to treatment develops during the relevant period of use, which is of a severity necessitating permanent treatment withdrawal, details of this toxicity must be provided at the time of application.
Details of the accepted toxicities including severity can be found on the Services Australia website.
Any one of the baseline criteria may be used to determine response to an initial course of treatment and eligibility for continued therapy, according to the criteria included in the first or subsequent continuing treatment restrictions. However, the same criterion must be used for any subsequent determination of response to treatment, for the purpose of eligibility for continuing PBS-subsidised therapy.
An assessment of a patient's response to this initial course of treatment must be conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks prior the completion of this course of treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C11763 | P11763 | | Severe Crohn disease
Initial treatment - Initial 3 (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 5 years)
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)].
Patient must have received prior PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have a break in treatment of 5 years or more from the most recently approved PBS-subsidised biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have confirmed severe Crohn disease, defined by standard clinical, endoscopic and/or imaging features, including histological evidence, with the diagnosis confirmed by a gastroenterologist or a consultant physician; AND
Patient must have a Crohn Disease Activity Index (CDAI) Score of greater than or equal to 300 that is no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application; OR
Patient must have a documented history of intestinal inflammation and have diagnostic imaging or surgical evidence of short gut syndrome if affected by the syndrome or has an ileostomy or colostomy; OR
Patient must have a documented history and radiological evidence of intestinal inflammation if the patient has extensive small intestinal disease affecting more than 50 cm of the small intestine, together with a Crohn Disease Activity Index (CDAI) Score greater than or equal to 220 and that is no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application; AND
Patient must have evidence of intestinal inflammation; OR
Patient must be assessed clinically as being in a high faecal output state; OR
Patient must be assessed clinically as requiring surgery or total parenteral nutrition (TPN) as the next therapeutic option, in the absence of this drug, if affected by short gut syndrome, extensive small intestine disease or is an ostomy patient; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 18 years or older.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) two completed authority prescription forms; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
Evidence of intestinal inflammation includes:
(i) blood: higher than normal platelet count, or, an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) greater than 25 mm per hour, or, a C-reactive protein (CRP) level greater than 15 mg per L; or
(ii) faeces: higher than normal lactoferrin or calprotectin level; or
(iii) diagnostic imaging: demonstration of increased uptake of intravenous contrast with thickening of the bowel wall or mesenteric lymphadenopathy or fat streaking in the mesentery.
Where fewer than 2 repeats are requested at the time of the application, authority approvals for sufficient repeats to complete a maximum of 16 weeks of treatment with adalimumab may be requested under the balance of supply restriction.
Any one of the baseline criteria may be used to determine response to an initial course of treatment and eligibility for continued therapy, according to the criteria included in the first or subsequent continuing treatment restrictions. However, the same criterion must be used for any subsequent determination of response to treatment, for the purpose of eligibility for continuing PBS-subsidised therapy.
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C11767 | P11767 | | Severe Crohn disease
First continuing treatment of Crohn disease in a paediatric patient assessed by PCDAI
Patient must have a documented history of severe Crohn disease; AND
Patient must have received this drug as their most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment for this condition; AND
Patient must have a reduction in PCDAI Score by at least 15 points from baseline value; AND
Patient must have a total PCDAI score of 40 points or less; AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 6 to 17 years inclusive.
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)]; OR
Must be treated by a paediatrician; OR
Must be treated by a specialist paediatric gastroenterologist.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
The PCDAI assessment must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application.
An application for the continuing treatment must be accompanied with the assessment of response conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of treatment. This will enable ongoing treatment for those who meet the continuing restriction for PBS-subsidised treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
Patients are only eligible to receive subsequent continuing PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug in courses of up to 24 weeks providing they continue to sustain the response.
Where fewer than 5 repeats are requested at the time of the application, authority approvals for sufficient repeats to complete a maximum of 24 weeks of treatment with this drug may be requested through the balance of supply restriction. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C11852 | P11852 | | Moderate to severe ulcerative colitis
Initial treatment - Initial 1 (new patient)
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)]; OR
Must be treated by a paediatrician; OR
Must be treated by a specialist paediatric gastroenterologist.
Patient must have failed to achieve an adequate response to a 5-aminosalicylate oral preparation in a standard dose for induction of remission for 3 or more consecutive months or have intolerance necessitating permanent treatment withdrawal; AND
Patient must have failed to achieve an adequate response to azathioprine at a dose of at least 2 mg per kg daily for 3 or more consecutive months or have intolerance necessitating permanent treatment withdrawal; OR
Patient must have failed to achieve an adequate response to 6-mercaptopurine at a dose of at least 1 mg per kg daily for 3 or more consecutive months or have intolerance necessitating permanent treatment withdrawal; OR
Patient must have failed to achieve an adequate response to a tapered course of oral steroids, starting at a dose of at least 40 mg (for a child, 1 to 2 mg/kg up to 40 mg) prednisolone (or equivalent), over a 6 week period or have intolerance necessitating permanent treatment withdrawal, and followed by a failure to achieve an adequate response to 3 or more consecutive months of treatment of an appropriately dosed thiopurine agent; AND
Patient must have a Mayo clinic score greater than or equal to 6 if an adult patient; OR
Patient must have a partial Mayo clinic score greater than or equal to 6, provided the rectal bleeding and stool frequency subscores are both greater than or equal to 2 (endoscopy subscore is not required for a partial Mayo clinic score); OR
Patient must have a Paediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) Score greater than or equal to 30 if aged 6 to 17 years.
Patient must be 6 years of age or older.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) two completed authority prescription forms; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice), which includes:
(i) the completed current Mayo clinic or partial Mayo clinic or Paediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) calculation sheet including the date of assessment of the patient's condition; and
(ii) details of prior systemic drug therapy [dosage, date of commencement and duration of therapy].
All tests and assessments should be performed preferably whilst still on treatment, but no longer than 4 weeks following cessation of the most recent prior conventional treatment.
The most recent Mayo clinic, partial Mayo clinic or Paediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) score must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application.
A partial Mayo clinic or Paediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) assessment of the patient's response to this initial course of treatment must be made following a minimum of 12 weeks of treatment for adalimumab and up to 12 weeks after the first dose (6 weeks following the third dose) for golimumab, infliximab and vedolizumab so that there is adequate time for a response to be demonstrated.
The measurement of response to the prior course of therapy must be documented in the patient's medical notes.
If treatment with any of the above-mentioned drugs is contraindicated according to the relevant TGA-approved Product Information, details must be provided at the time of application.
An assessment of a patient's response to this initial course of treatment must be conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks prior the completion of this course of treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure.
Details of the accepted toxicities including severity can be found on the Services Australia website. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C11853 | P11853 | | Moderate to severe ulcerative colitis
Subsequent continuing treatment
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)]; OR
Must be treated by a paediatrician; OR
Must be treated by a specialist paediatric gastroenterologist.
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition under the First continuing treatment restriction; AND
Patient must have demonstrated or sustained an adequate response to treatment by having a partial Mayo clinic score less than or equal to 2, with no subscore greater than 1 while receiving treatment with this drug; OR
Patient must have demonstrated or sustained an adequate response to treatment by having a Paediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) score less than 10 while receiving treatment with this drug if aged 6 to 17 years.
Patient must be 6 years of age or older.
Patients who have failed to maintain a partial Mayo clinic score of less than or equal to 2, with no subscore greater than 1, or, patients who have failed to maintain a Paediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) score of less than 10 (if aged 6 to 17 years) with continuing treatment with this drug, will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug.
Patients are eligible to receive continuing treatment with this drug in courses of up to 24 weeks providing they continue to sustain a response.
At the time of the authority application, medical practitioners should request sufficient quantity for up to 24 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Where fewer than 5 repeats are requested at the time of the application, authority approvals for sufficient repeats to complete a maximum of 24 weeks of treatment with this drug may be requested through the balance of supply restriction.
An application for the continuing treatment must be accompanied with the assessment of response conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of treatment. This will enable ongoing treatment for those who meet the continuing restriction for PBS-subsidised treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction.
If patients aged 6 to 17 years fail to respond to PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment 3 times (twice with one agent) they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised biological medicine therapy in this treatment cycle. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C11854 | P11854 | | Moderate to severe ulcerative colitis
Initial treatment - Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 5 years)
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)]; OR
Must be treated by a paediatrician; OR
Must be treated by a specialist paediatric gastroenterologist.
Patient must have received prior PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition in this treatment cycle; OR
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine (adalimumab or infliximab) for this condition in this treatment cycle if aged 6 to 17 years; AND
Patient must not have already failed, or ceased to respond to, PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition during the current treatment cycle; OR
Patient must not have already failed, or ceased to respond to, PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition during the current treatment cycle more than once if aged 6 to 17 years.
Patient must be 6 years of age or older.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) two completed authority prescription forms; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice), which includes:
(i) the completed current Mayo clinic or partial Mayo clinic or Paediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) calculation sheet including the date of assessment of the patient's condition if relevant; and
(ii) the details of prior biological medicine treatment including the details of date and duration of treatment.
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure.
A patient who fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug in this treatment cycle. A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the initial 3 treatment restriction.
If patients aged 6 to 17 years fail to respond to PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment 3 times (twice with one agent) they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised biological medicine therapy in this treatment cycle. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C11855 | P11855 | | Moderate to severe ulcerative colitis
Initial treatment - Initial 3 (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 5 years)
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)]; OR
Must be treated by a paediatrician; OR
Must be treated by a specialist paediatric gastroenterologist.
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have had a break in treatment of 5 years or more from the most recently approved PBS-subsidised biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have a Mayo clinic score greater than or equal to 6 if an adult patient; OR
Patient must have a partial Mayo clinic score greater than or equal to 6, provided the rectal bleeding and stool frequency subscores are both greater than or equal to 2 (endoscopy subscore is not required for a partial Mayo clinic score); OR
Patient must have a Paediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) Score greater than or equal to 30 if aged 6 to 17 years.
Patient must be 6 years of age or older.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) two completed authority prescription forms; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice), which includes:
(i) the completed current Mayo clinic or partial Mayo clinic or Paediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) calculation sheet including the date of assessment of the patient's condition; and
(ii) the details of prior biological medicine treatment including the details of date and duration of treatment.
All tests and assessments should be performed preferably whilst still on treatment, but no longer than 4 weeks following cessation of the most recent prior conventional treatment.
The most recent Mayo clinic, partial Mayo clinic or Paediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) score must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application.
A partial Mayo clinic or Paediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) assessment of the patient's response to this initial course of treatment must be made following a minimum of 12 weeks of treatment for adalimumab and up to 12 weeks after the first dose (6 weeks following the third dose) for golimumab, infliximab and vedolizumab so that there is adequate time for a response to be demonstrated.
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure.
Details of the accepted toxicities including severity can be found on the Services Australia website. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C11861 | P11861 | | Severe psoriatic arthritis
Initial treatment - Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in in biological medicine of less than 5 years)
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of psoriatic arthritis.
Patient must have received prior PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition in this treatment cycle; AND
Patient must not have already failed, or ceased to respond to, PBS-subsidised treatment with 3 biological medicines for this condition within this treatment cycle; AND
Patient must not have failed, or ceased to respond to, PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition during the current treatment cycle; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 18 years or older.
An adequate response to treatment is defined as:
an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) no greater than 25 mm per hour or a C-reactive protein (CRP) level no greater than 15 mg per L or either marker reduced by at least 20% from baseline; and
either of the following:
(a) a reduction in the total active (swollen and tender) joint count by at least 50% from baseline, where baseline is at least 20 active joints; or
(b) a reduction in the number of the following major active joints, from at least 4, by at least 50%:
(i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or
(ii) shoulder and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
An application for a patient who has received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug and who wishes to re-commence therapy with this drug, must be accompanied by evidence of a response to the patient's most recent course of PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug, within the timeframes specified below.
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C11865 | P11865 | | Severe psoriatic arthritis
Subsequent continuing treatment
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of psoriatic arthritis.
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition under the First continuing treatment restriction; AND
Patient must have demonstrated an adequate response to treatment with this drug; AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment per subsequent continuing treatment course authorised under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 18 years or older.
An adequate response to treatment is defined as:
an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) no greater than 25 mm per hour or a C-reactive protein (CRP) level no greater than 15 mg per L or either marker reduced by at least 20% from baseline; and
either of the following:
(a) a reduction in the total active (swollen and tender) joint count by at least 50% from baseline, where baseline is at least 20 active joints; or
(b) a reduction in the number of the following major active joints, from at least 4, by at least 50%:
(i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or
(ii) shoulder and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
The same indices of disease severity used to establish baseline at the commencement of treatment with each initial treatment application must be used to determine response for all subsequent continuing treatments.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
An application for the continuing treatment must be accompanied with the assessment of response conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of treatment. This will enable ongoing treatment for those who meet the continuing restriction for PBS-subsidised treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug within this treatment cycle, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C11867 | P11867 | | Severe psoriatic arthritis
First continuing treatment
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of psoriatic arthritis.
Patient must have received this drug as their most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment for this condition; AND
Patient must have demonstrated an adequate response to treatment with this drug; AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 18 years or older.
An adequate response to treatment is defined as:
an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) no greater than 25 mm per hour or a C-reactive protein (CRP) level no greater than 15 mg per L or either marker reduced by at least 20% from baseline; and
either of the following:
(a) a reduction in the total active (swollen and tender) joint count by at least 50% from baseline, where baseline is at least 20 active joints; or
(b) a reduction in the number of the following major active joints, from at least 4, by at least 50%:
(i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or
(ii) shoulder and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
The same indices of disease severity used to establish baseline at the commencement of treatment with each initial treatment application must be used to determine response for all subsequent continuing treatments.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
An application for the continuing treatment must be accompanied with the assessment of response conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of treatment. This will enable ongoing treatment for those who meet the continuing restriction for PBS-subsidised treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C11903 | P11903 | | Moderate to severe ulcerative colitis
First continuing treatment
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)]; OR
Must be treated by a paediatrician; OR
Must be treated by a specialist paediatric gastroenterologist.
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; AND
Patient must have demonstrated or sustained an adequate response to treatment by having a partial Mayo clinic score less than or equal to 2, with no subscore greater than 1 while receiving treatment with this drug; OR
Patient must have demonstrated or sustained an adequate response to treatment by having a Paediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) score less than 10 while receiving treatment with this drug if aged 6 to 17 years.
Patient must be 6 years of age or older.
Patients who have failed to maintain a partial Mayo clinic score of less than or equal to 2, with no subscore greater than 1, or, patients who have failed to maintain a Paediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) score of less than 10 (if aged 6 to 17 years) with continuing treatment with this drug, will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug.
Patients are eligible to receive continuing treatment with this drug in courses of up to 24 weeks providing they continue to sustain a response.
At the time of the authority application, medical practitioners should request sufficient quantity for up to 24 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Where fewer than 5 repeats are requested at the time of the application, authority approvals for sufficient repeats to complete a maximum of 24 weeks of treatment with this drug may be requested through the balance of supply restriction.
An application for the continuing treatment must be accompanied with the assessment of response conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of treatment. This will enable ongoing treatment for those who meet the continuing restriction for PBS-subsidised treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction.
If patients aged 6 to 17 years fail to respond to PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment 3 times (twice with one agent) they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised biological medicine therapy in this treatment cycle. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C11906 | P11906 | | Severe psoriatic arthritis
Continuing treatment - balance of supply
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the first continuing treatment restriction to complete 24 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the subsequent continuing Authority Required (in writing) treatment restriction to complete 24 weeks treatment; AND
The treatment must provide no more than the balance of up to 24 weeks treatment available under the above restrictions.
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of psoriatic arthritis. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C11966 | P11966 | | Moderate to severe ulcerative colitis
Continuing treatment - balance of supply
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)]; OR
Must be treated by a paediatrician; OR
Must be treated by a specialist paediatric gastroenterologist.
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the first continuing treatment or subsequent continuing treatment restrictions to complete 24 weeks of treatment; AND
The treatment must provide no more than the balance of up to 24 weeks treatment available under this restriction. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C12098 | P12098 | | Complex refractory Fistulising Crohn disease
Initial treatment - Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 5 years)
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)].
Patient must have received prior PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition in this treatment cycle; AND
Patient must not have failed PBS-subsidised therapy with this drug for this condition more than once in the current treatment cycle.
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
Applications for authorisation must be made in writing and must include:
(1) two completed authority prescription forms; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice) which includes the following:
(i) a completed current Fistula Assessment Form including the date of assessment of the patient's condition; and
(ii) details of prior biological medicine treatment including details of date and duration of treatment.
The most recent fistula assessment must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application.
A maximum of 16 weeks of treatment with this drug will be approved under this criterion. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C12101 | P12101 | | Complex refractory Fistulising Crohn disease
Initial 1 (new patient or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 5 years), Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 5 years) - balance of supply
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)].
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 1 (new patient or patient recommencing treatment after a break of 5 years or more) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after a break of less than 5 years) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; AND
The treatment must provide no more than the balance of up to 16 weeks treatment available under the above restrictions. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C12103 | P12103 | | Severe chronic plaque psoriasis
Initial treatment - Initial 3, Whole body (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 5 years)
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have a break in treatment of 5 years or more from the most recently approved PBS-subsidised biological medicine for this condition; AND
The condition must have a current Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score of greater than 15; AND
The treatment must be as systemic monotherapy (other than methotrexate); AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 18 years or older.
Must be treated by a dermatologist.
The most recent PASI assessment must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form(s); and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice) which includes the completed current Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) calculation sheets including the dates of assessment of the patient's condition.
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C12105 | P12105 | | Severe chronic plaque psoriasis
Initial treatment - Initial 3, Face, hand, foot (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 5 years)
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have a break in treatment of 5 years or more from the most recently approved PBS-subsidised biological medicine for this condition; AND
The condition must be classified as severe due to a plaque or plaques on the face, palm of a hand or sole of a foot where: (i) at least 2 of the 3 Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) symptom subscores for erythema, thickness and scaling are rated as severe or very severe; or (ii) the skin area affected is 30% or more of the face, palm of a hand or sole of a foot; AND
The treatment must be as systemic monotherapy (other than methotrexate); AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 18 years or older.
Must be treated by a dermatologist.
The most recent PASI assessment must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form(s); and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice) which includes the completed current Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) calculation sheets, and the face, hand, foot area diagrams including the dates of assessment of the patient's condition.
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
The PASI assessment for continuing treatment must be performed on the same affected area as assessed at baseline.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C12122 | P12122 | | Severe active juvenile idiopathic arthritis
First continuing treatment
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Patient must have received this drug as their most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment for this condition; AND
Patient must have demonstrated an adequate response to treatment with this drug; AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment per continuing treatment course authorised under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 18 years or older.
An adequate response to treatment is defined as:
an ESR no greater than 25 mm per hour or a CRP level no greater than 15 mg per L or either marker reduced by at least 20% from baseline;
AND either of the following:
(a) an active joint count of fewer than 10 active (swollen and tender) joints; or
(b) a reduction in the active (swollen and tender) joint count by at least 50% from baseline; or
(c) a reduction in the number of the following active joints, from at least 4, by at least 50%:
(i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or
(ii) shoulder, cervical spine and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
Where the baseline active joint count is based on total active joints (i.e. more than 20 active joints), response will be determined according to the reduction in the total number of active joints. Where the baseline is determined on total number of major joints, the response must be demonstrated on the total number of major joints. If only an ESR or CRP level is provided with the initial application, the same marker will be used to determine response.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
An application for the continuing treatment must be accompanied with the assessment of response conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of treatment. This will enable ongoing treatment for those who meet the continuing restriction for PBS-subsidised treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction.
If a patient fails to respond to PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment 3 times (once with each agent) they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised biological medicine therapy in this treatment cycle. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C12123 | P12123 | | Severe active juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Continuing treatment - balance of supply
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the first continuing treatment restriction to complete 24 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the subsequent continuing Authority Required (in writing) treatment restriction to complete 24 weeks treatment; AND
The treatment must provide no more than the balance of up to 24 weeks treatment available under the above restrictions. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C12147 | P12147 | | Complex refractory Fistulising Crohn disease
Initial treatment - Initial 1 (new patient or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 5 years)
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)].
Patient must have confirmed Crohn disease, defined by standard clinical, endoscopic and/or imaging features, including histological evidence, with the diagnosis confirmed by a gastroenterologist or a consultant physician; AND
Patient must have an externally draining enterocutaneous or rectovaginal fistula.
Applications for authorisation must be made in writing and must include:
(1) two completed authority prescription forms; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice) which includes a completed current Fistula Assessment Form including the date of assessment of the patient's condition of no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application.
A maximum of 16 weeks of treatment with this drug will be approved under this criterion.
An assessment of a patient's response to this initial course of treatment must be conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks prior the completion of this course of treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C12148 | P12148 | | Complex refractory Fistulising Crohn disease
Subsequent continuing treatment
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)].
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; AND
Patient must have demonstrated an adequate response to treatment with this drug for this condition.
An adequate response is defined as:
(a) a decrease from baseline in the number of open draining fistulae of greater than or equal to 50%; and/or
(b) a marked reduction in drainage of all fistula(e) from baseline, together with less pain and induration as reported by the patient.
Applications for authorisation must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice) which includes a completed Fistula Assessment form including the date of the assessment of the patient's condition.
The most recent fistula assessment must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application.
An application for the continuing treatment must be accompanied with the assessment of response conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of treatment. This will enable ongoing treatment for those who meet the continuing restriction for PBS-subsidised treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
Patients are eligible to receive continuing treatment with this drug in courses of up to 24 weeks providing they continue to sustain a response.
At the time of the authority application, medical practitioners should request the appropriate quantity and number of repeats to provide sufficient dose. Up to a maximum of 5 repeats will be authorised.
Where fewer than 5 repeats are requested at the time of the application, authority approvals for sufficient repeats to complete a maximum of 24 weeks of treatment with this drug may be requested through the balance of supply restriction.
A maximum of 24 weeks treatment will be authorised under this restriction. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C12152 | P12152 | | Complex refractory Fistulising Crohn disease
Initial treatment - Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 5 years)
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)].
Patient must have received prior PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition in this treatment cycle; AND
Patient must not have failed PBS-subsidised therapy with this drug for this condition more than once in the current treatment cycle.
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
Applications for authorisation must be made in writing and must include:
(1) two completed authority prescription forms; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice) which includes the following:
(i) a completed current Fistula Assessment Form including the date of assessment of the patient's condition; and
(ii) details of prior biological medicine treatment including details of date and duration of treatment.
The most recent fistula assessment must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application.
A maximum of 16 weeks of treatment with this drug will be approved under this criterion. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C12155 | P12155 | | Severe chronic plaque psoriasis
Initial treatment - Initial 2, Whole body (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 5 years)
Patient must have received prior PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition in this treatment cycle; AND
Patient must not have already failed, or ceased to respond to, PBS-subsidised treatment with 3 biological medicines for this condition within this treatment cycle; AND
Patient must not have already failed, or ceased to respond to, PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition during the current treatment cycle; AND
The treatment must be as systemic monotherapy (other than methotrexate); AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 18 years or older.
Must be treated by a dermatologist.
An adequate response to treatment is defined as:
A Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score which is reduced by 75% or more, or is sustained at this level, when compared with the baseline value for this treatment cycle.
An application for a patient who has received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug and who wishes to re-commence therapy with this drug, must be accompanied by evidence of a response to the patient's most recent course of PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug, within the timeframes specified below.
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form(s); and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice) which includes the following:
(i) the completed current Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) calculation sheets including the dates of assessment of the patient's condition; and
(ii) details of prior biological treatment, including dosage, date and duration of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C12156 | P12156 | | Severe chronic plaque psoriasis
Continuing treatment, Whole body or Continuing treatment, Face, hand, foot - balance of supply
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug under the first continuing treatment, Whole body restriction to complete 24 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug under the first continuing treatment, Face, hand, foot restriction to complete 24 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug under the subsequent continuing treatment Authority Required (in writing), Whole body restriction to complete 24 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug under the subsequent continuing treatment Authority Required (in writing), Face, hand, foot restriction to complete 24 weeks treatment; AND
The treatment must provide no more than the balance of up to 24 weeks treatment available under the above restrictions; AND
The treatment must be as systemic monotherapy (other than methotrexate).
Must be treated by a dermatologist. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C12157 | P12157 | | Severe chronic plaque psoriasis
Subsequent continuing treatment, Whole body
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition under the First continuing treatment restriction; AND
Patient must have demonstrated an adequate response to treatment with this drug; AND
The treatment must be as systemic monotherapy (other than methotrexate); AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment per subsequent continuing treatment course authorised under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 18 years or older.
Must be treated by a dermatologist.
An adequate response to treatment is defined as:
A Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score which is reduced by 75% or more, or is sustained at this level, when compared with the baseline value for this treatment cycle.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form(s); and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice) which includes the completed current Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) calculation sheet including the date of the assessment of the patient's condition.
The most recent PASI assessment must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application.
Approval will be based on the PASI assessment of response to the most recent course of treatment with this drug.
An application for the continuing treatment must be accompanied with the assessment of response conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of treatment. This will enable ongoing treatment for those who meet the continuing restriction for PBS-subsidised treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C12158 | P12158 | | Severe chronic plaque psoriasis
First continuing treatment, Whole body
Patient must have received this drug as their most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment for this condition; AND
Patient must have demonstrated an adequate response to treatment with this drug; AND
The treatment must be as systemic monotherapy (other than methotrexate); AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment per continuing treatment course authorised under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 18 years or older.
Must be treated by a dermatologist.
An adequate response to treatment is defined as:
A Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score which is reduced by 75% or more, or is sustained at this level, when compared with the baseline value for this treatment cycle.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form(s); and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice) which includes the completed current Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) calculation sheet including the date of the assessment of the patient's condition.
The most recent PASI assessment must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application.
Approval will be based on the PASI assessment of response to the most recent course of treatment with this drug.
An application for the continuing treatment must be accompanied with the assessment of response conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of treatment. This will enable ongoing treatment for those who meet the continuing restriction for PBS-subsidised treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C12174 | P12174 | | Ankylosing spondylitis
Initial 1 (new patient) or Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 5 years) or Initial 3 (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 5 years) - balance of supply
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 1 (new patient) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 5 years) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 3 (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 5 years) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; AND
The treatment must provide no more than the balance of up to 16 weeks treatment available under the above restrictions.
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of ankylosing spondylitis. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C12189 | P12189 | | Severe chronic plaque psoriasis
First continuing treatment, Face, hand, foot
Patient must have received this drug as their most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment for this condition; AND
Patient must have demonstrated an adequate response to treatment with this drug; AND
The treatment must be as systemic monotherapy (other than methotrexate); AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment per continuing treatment course authorised under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 18 years or older.
Must be treated by a dermatologist.
An adequate response to treatment is defined as the plaque or plaques assessed prior to biological treatment showing:
(i) a reduction in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) symptom subscores for all 3 of erythema, thickness and scaling, to slight or better, or sustained at this level, as compared to the baseline values; or
(ii) a reduction by 75% or more in the skin area affected, or sustained at this level, as compared to the baseline value for this treatment cycle.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form(s); and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice) which includes the completed current Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) calculation sheet and the face, hand, foot area diagrams including the date of the assessment of the patient's condition.
The most recent PASI assessment must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application.
Approval will be based on the PASI assessment of response to the most recent course of treatment with this drug.
The PASI assessment for continuing treatment must be performed on the same affected area assessed at baseline.
An application for the continuing treatment must be accompanied with the assessment of response conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of treatment. This will enable ongoing treatment for those who meet the continuing restriction for PBS-subsidised treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C12190 | P12190 | | Severe chronic plaque psoriasis
Subsequent continuing treatment, Face, hand, foot
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition under the First continuing treatment restriction; AND
Patient must have demonstrated an adequate response to treatment with this drug; AND
The treatment must be as systemic monotherapy (other than methotrexate); AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment per subsequent continuing treatment course authorised under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 18 years or older.
Must be treated by a dermatologist.
An adequate response to treatment is defined as the plaque or plaques assessed prior to biological treatment showing:
(i) a reduction in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) symptom subscores for all 3 of erythema, thickness and scaling, to slight or better, or sustained at this level, as compared to the baseline values; or
(ii) a reduction by 75% or more in the skin area affected, or sustained at this level, as compared to the baseline value for this treatment cycle.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form(s); and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice) which includes the completed current Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) calculation sheet and the face, hand, foot area diagrams including the date of the assessment of the patient's condition.
The most recent PASI assessment must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application.
Approval will be based on the PASI assessment of response to the most recent course of treatment with this drug.
The PASI assessment for continuing treatment must be performed on the same affected area assessed at baseline.
An application for the continuing treatment must be accompanied with the assessment of response conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of treatment. This will enable ongoing treatment for those who meet the continuing restriction for PBS-subsidised treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C12194 | P12194 | | Severe active juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Initial treatment - Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after break in biological medicine of less than 24 months)
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Patient must have a documented history of severe active juvenile idiopathic arthritis with onset prior to the age of 18 years; AND
Patient must have received prior PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition in this treatment cycle; AND
Patient must not have already failed, or ceased to respond to, PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition during the current treatment cycle; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 18 years or older.
An adequate response to treatment is defined as:
an ESR no greater than 25 mm per hour or a CRP level no greater than 15 mg per L or either marker reduced by at least 20% from baseline;
AND either of the following:
(a) an active joint count of fewer than 10 active (swollen and tender) joints; or
(b) a reduction in the active (swollen and tender) joint count by at least 50% from baseline; or
(c) a reduction in the number of the following active joints, from at least 4, by at least 50%:
(i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or
(ii) shoulder, cervical spine and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
An application for a patient who has received PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment for this condition who wishes to change or recommence therapy with this drug, must be accompanied by evidence of a response to the patient's most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment, within the timeframes specified below.
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure.
A patient who fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug in this treatment cycle. A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the initial 3 treatment restriction.
If a patient fails to respond to PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment 3 times (once with each agent) they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised biological medicine therapy in this treatment cycle. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C12212 | P12212 | | Severe chronic plaque psoriasis
Initial treatment - Initial 2, Face, hand, foot (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 5 years)
Patient must have received prior PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition in this treatment cycle; AND
Patient must not have already failed, or ceased to respond to, PBS-subsidised treatment with 3 biological medicines for this condition within this treatment cycle; AND
Patient must not have already failed, or ceased to respond to, PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition during the current treatment cycle; AND
The treatment must be as systemic monotherapy (other than methotrexate); AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 18 years or older.
Must be treated by a dermatologist.
An adequate response to treatment is defined as the plaque or plaques assessed prior to biological treatment showing:
(i) a reduction in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) symptom subscores for all 3 of erythema, thickness and scaling, to slight or better, or sustained at this level, as compared to the baseline values; or
(ii) a reduction by 75% or more in the skin area affected, or sustained at this level, as compared to the baseline value for this treatment cycle.
An application for a patient who has received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug and who wishes to re-commence therapy with this drug, must be accompanied by evidence of a response to the patient's most recent course of PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug, within the timeframes specified below.
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
The PASI assessment for continuing treatment must be performed on the same affected area as assessed at baseline.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form(s); and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice) which includes the following:
(i) the completed current Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) calculation sheets, and the face, hand, foot area diagrams including the dates of assessment of the patient's condition; and
(ii) details of prior biological treatment, including dosage, date and duration of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C12214 | P12214 | | Severe active juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Subsequent continuing treatment
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition under the First continuing treatment restriction; AND
Patient must have demonstrated an adequate response to treatment with this drug; AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment per continuing treatment course authorised under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 18 years or older.
An adequate response to treatment is defined as:
an ESR no greater than 25 mm per hour or a CRP level no greater than 15 mg per L or either marker reduced by at least 20% from baseline;
AND either of the following:
(a) an active joint count of fewer than 10 active (swollen and tender) joints; or
(b) a reduction in the active (swollen and tender) joint count by at least 50% from baseline; or
(c) a reduction in the number of the following active joints, from at least 4, by at least 50%:
(i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or
(ii) shoulder, cervical spine and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
Where the baseline active joint count is based on total active joints (i.e. more than 20 active joints), response will be determined according to the reduction in the total number of active joints. Where the baseline is determined on total number of major joints, the response must be demonstrated on the total number of major joints. If only an ESR or CRP level is provided with the initial application, the same marker will be used to determine response.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
An application for the continuing treatment must be accompanied with the assessment of response conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of treatment. This will enable ongoing treatment for those who meet the continuing restriction for PBS-subsidised treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction.
If a patient fails to respond to PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment 3 times (once with each agent) they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised biological medicine therapy in this treatment cycle.
Patients are eligible to receive continuing treatment with this drug in courses of up to 24 weeks providing they continue to sustain a response.
At the time of the authority application, medical practitioners should request the appropriate quantity and number of repeats to provide sufficient doses for up to 24 weeks treatment. Up to a maximum of 5 repeats will be authorised.
Where fewer than 5 repeats are requested at the time of the application, authority approvals for sufficient repeats to complete a maximum of 24 weeks of treatment with this drug may be requested through the balance of supply restriction. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C12228 | P12228 | | Complex refractory Fistulising Crohn disease
First continuing treatment
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)].
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; AND
Patient must have demonstrated an adequate response to treatment with this drug for this condition.
An adequate response is defined as:
(a) a decrease from baseline in the number of open draining fistulae of greater than or equal to 50%; and/or
(b) a marked reduction in drainage of all fistula(e) from baseline, together with less pain and induration as reported by the patient.
Applications for authorisation must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice) which includes a completed Fistula Assessment form including the date of the assessment of the patient's condition.
The most recent fistula assessment must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application.
An application for the continuing treatment must be accompanied with the assessment of response conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of treatment. This will enable ongoing treatment for those who meet the continuing restriction for PBS-subsidised treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
Patients are eligible to receive continuing treatment with this drug in courses of up to 24 weeks providing they continue to sustain a response.
At the time of the authority application, medical practitioners should request the appropriate quantity and number of repeats to provide sufficient dose. Up to a maximum of 5 repeats will be authorised.
Where fewer than 5 repeats are requested at the time of the application, authority approvals for sufficient repeats to complete a maximum of 24 weeks of treatment with this drug may be requested through the balance of supply restriction.
A maximum of 24 weeks treatment will be authorised under this restriction. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C12229 | P12229 | | Complex refractory Fistulising Crohn disease
Initial treatment - Initial 1 (new patient or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 5 years)
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)].
Patient must have confirmed Crohn disease, defined by standard clinical, endoscopic and/or imaging features, including histological evidence, with the diagnosis confirmed by a gastroenterologist or a consultant physician; AND
Patient must have an externally draining enterocutaneous or rectovaginal fistula.
Applications for authorisation must be made in writing and must include:
(1) two completed authority prescription forms; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice) which includes a completed current Fistula Assessment Form including the date of assessment of the patient's condition of no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application.
A maximum of 16 weeks of treatment with this drug will be approved under this criterion.
An assessment of a patient's response to this initial course of treatment must be conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks prior the completion of this course of treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C12240 | P12240 | | Complex refractory Fistulising Crohn disease
Continuing treatment - balance of supply
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)].
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the first continuing treatment restriction to complete 24 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the subsequent continuing treatment restriction to complete 24 weeks treatment; AND
The treatment must provide no more than the balance of up to 24 weeks treatment available under the above restriction. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C12272 | P12272 | | Moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa
Subsequent continuing treatment
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition under the First continuing treatment restriction; AND
Patient must have demonstrated a response to treatment with this drug for this condition.
Must be treated by a dermatologist.
A response to treatment is defined as:
Achieving Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response (HiSCR) of a 50% reduction in AN count compared to baseline with no increase in abscesses or draining fistulae.
An application for the continuing treatment must be accompanied with the assessment of response conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of treatment. This will enable ongoing treatment for those who meet the continuing restriction for PBS-subsidised treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
A maximum of 24 weeks treatment will be authorised under this restriction per continuing treatment.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice) which includes the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response (HiSCR) result. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C12273 | P12273 | | Moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa
Initial 1 (new patient) or Initial 2 (recommencement of treatment) - balance of supply
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 1 (new patient) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 2 (recommencement of treatment) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment.
Must be treated by a dermatologist.
A maximum of 12 weeks of treatment will be authorised under this restriction. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C12275 | P12275 | | Moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa
Initial treatment - Initial 2 (recommencement of treatment)
Patient must have, at the time of application, a Hurley stage II or III grading with an abscess and inflammatory nodule (AN) count greater than or equal to 3; AND
Patient must have demonstrated a response to the most recent PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; AND
The treatment must be limited to a maximum duration of 16 weeks.
Must be treated by a dermatologist.
Assessment of disease severity must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application.
A response to treatment is defined as:
Achieving Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response (HiSCR) of a 50% reduction in AN count compared to baseline with no increase in abscesses or draining fistulae.
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
At the time of authority application the prescriber must request the first 4 weeks of treatment under this restriction; and weeks 5 to 16 of treatment under Initial 1 (new patient) or Initial 2 (recommencement of treatment) - balance of supply
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice) which includes:
(i) the Hurley stage grading; and
(ii) the AN count. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C12278 | P12278 | | Moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa
Initial treatment - Initial 1 (new patient)
Patient must have, at the time of application, a Hurley stage II or III grading with an abscess and inflammatory nodule (AN) count greater than or equal to 3; AND
Patient must have failed to achieve an adequate response to 2 courses of different antibiotics each for 3 months prior to initiation of PBS subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; OR
Patient must have had an adverse reaction to an antibiotic of a severity necessitating permanent treatment withdrawal resulting in the patient being unable to complete treatment with 2 different courses of antibiotics each for 3 months prior to initiation of PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; OR
Patient must be contraindicated to treatment with an antibiotic due to an allergic reaction of a severity necessitating permanent treatment withdrawal resulting in the patient being unable to complete treatment with 2 different courses of antibiotics each for 3 months prior to initiation of PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; AND
The treatment must be limited to a maximum duration of 16 weeks.
Must be treated by a dermatologist.
Assessment of disease severity must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application.
An assessment of a patient's response to this initial course of treatment must be conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks prior the completion of this course of treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
At the time of authority application the prescriber must request the first 4 weeks of treatment under this restriction; and weeks 5 to 16 of treatment under Initial 1 (new patient) or Initial 2 (recommencement of treatment) - balance of supply
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice) which includes:
(i) the Hurley stage grading; and
(ii) the AN count; and
(iii) the name of the antibiotic/s received for two separate courses each of three months; or
(iv) confirmation that the adverse reaction or allergy to an antibiotic necessitated permanent treatment withdrawal resulting in the patient being unable to complete a three month course of antibiotics. The name of the one course of antibiotics of three months duration must be provided. Where the patient is unable to be treated with any courses of antibiotics the prescriber must confirm that the patient has a history of adverse reaction or allergy necessitating permanent treatment withdrawal to two different antibiotics. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C12306 | P12306 | | Moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa
Continuing treatment
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; AND
Patient must have demonstrated a response to treatment with this drug for this condition.
Must be treated by a dermatologist.
A response to treatment is defined as:
Achieving Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response (HiSCR) of a 50% reduction in AN count compared to baseline with no increase in abscesses or draining fistulae.
An application for the continuing treatment must be accompanied with the assessment of response conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of treatment. This will enable ongoing treatment for those who meet the continuing restriction for PBS-subsidised treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
A maximum of 24 weeks treatment will be authorised under this restriction per continuing treatment.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice) which includes the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response (HiSCR) result. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C12315 | P12315 | | Moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa
First continuing treatment
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; AND
Patient must have demonstrated a response to treatment with this drug for this condition.
Must be treated by a dermatologist.
A response to treatment is defined as:
Achieving Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response (HiSCR) of a 50% reduction in AN count compared to baseline with no increase in abscesses or draining fistulae.
An application for the continuing treatment must be accompanied with the assessment of response conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of treatment. This will enable ongoing treatment for those who meet the continuing restriction for PBS-subsidised treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
A maximum of 24 weeks treatment will be authorised under this restriction per continuing treatment.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice) which includes the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Clinical Response (HiSCR) result. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C12336 | P12336 | | Moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa
Initial treatment - Initial 1 (new patient)
Patient must have, at the time of application, a Hurley stage II or III grading with an abscess and inflammatory nodule (AN) count greater than or equal to 3; AND
Patient must have failed to achieve an adequate response to 2 courses of different antibiotics each for 3 months prior to initiation of PBS subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; OR
Patient must have had an adverse reaction to an antibiotic of a severity necessitating permanent treatment withdrawal resulting in the patient being unable to complete treatment with 2 different courses of antibiotics each for 3 months prior to initiation of PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; OR
Patient must be contraindicated to treatment with an antibiotic due to an allergic reaction of a severity necessitating permanent treatment withdrawal resulting in the patient being unable to complete treatment with 2 different courses of antibiotics each for 3 months prior to initiation of PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; AND
The treatment must be limited to a maximum duration of 16 weeks.
Must be treated by a dermatologist.
Assessment of disease severity must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application.
An assessment of a patient's response to this initial course of treatment must be conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks prior the completion of this course of treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
At the time of authority application the prescriber must request the first 4 weeks of treatment under this restriction; and weeks 5 to 16 of treatment under Initial 1 (new patient) or Initial 2 (recommencement of treatment) - balance of supply
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice) which includes:
(i) the Hurley stage grading; and
(ii) the AN count; and
(iii) the name of the antibiotic/s received for two separate courses each of three months; or
(iv) confirmation that the adverse reaction or allergy to an antibiotic necessitated permanent treatment withdrawal resulting in the patient being unable to complete a three month course of antibiotics. The name of the one course of antibiotics of three months duration must be provided. Where the patient is unable to be treated with any courses of antibiotics the prescriber must confirm that the patient has a history of adverse reaction or allergy necessitating permanent treatment withdrawal to two different antibiotics. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C13556 | P13556 | | Severe chronic plaque psoriasis
Initial treatment - Initial 3, Face, hand, foot (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 5 years)
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have a break in treatment of 5 years or more from the most recently approved PBS-subsidised biological medicine for this condition; AND
The condition must be classified as severe due to a plaque or plaques on the face, palm of a hand or sole of a foot where: (i) at least 2 of the 3 Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) symptom subscores for erythema, thickness and scaling are rated as severe or very severe; or (ii) the skin area affected is 30% or more of the face, palm of a hand or sole of a foot; AND
The treatment must be as systemic monotherapy (other than methotrexate); AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be treated by a dermatologist.
The most recent PASI assessment must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form(s); and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice) which includes the completed current Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) calculation sheets, and the face, hand, foot area diagrams including the dates of assessment of the patient's condition.
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
The PASI assessment for continuing treatment must be performed on the same affected area as assessed at baseline.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C13599 | P13599 | | Severe active juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Initial treatment - Initial 3 (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 24 months)
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have a break in treatment of 24 months or more from the most recently approved PBS-subsidised biological medicine for this condition; OR
Patient must not have received PBS-subsidised biological medicine for at least 5 years if they failed or ceased to respond to PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment 3 times in their last treatment cycle; AND
The condition must have an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) greater than 25 mm per hour; OR
The condition must have a C-reactive protein (CRP) level greater than 15 mg per L; AND
The condition must have either (a) a total active joint count of at least 20 active (swollen and tender) joints; or (b) at least 4 active major joints; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
Active joints are defined as:
(i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or
(ii) shoulder, cervical spine and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
All measurements must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of this application.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C13602 | P13602 | | Severe Crohn disease
Initial treatment - Initial 1 (new patient)
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)].
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
Patient must have confirmed severe Crohn disease, defined by standard clinical, endoscopic and/or imaging features, including histological evidence, with the diagnosis confirmed by a gastroenterologist or a consultant physician; AND
Patient must have failed to achieve an adequate response to prior systemic therapy with a tapered course of steroids, starting at a dose of at least 40 mg prednisolone (or equivalent), over a 6 week period; AND
Patient must have failed to achieve adequate response to prior systemic immunosuppressive therapy with azathioprine at a dose of at least 2 mg per kg daily for 3 or more consecutive months; OR
Patient must have failed to achieve adequate response to prior systemic immunosuppressive therapy with 6-mercaptopurine at a dose of at least 1 mg per kg daily for 3 or more consecutive months; OR
Patient must have failed to achieve adequate response to prior systemic immunosuppressive therapy with methotrexate at a dose of at least 15 mg weekly for 3 or more consecutive months; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction; AND
Patient must have a Crohn Disease Activity Index (CDAI) Score greater than or equal to 300 as evidence of failure to achieve an adequate response to prior systemic therapy; OR
Patient must have short gut syndrome with diagnostic imaging or surgical evidence, or have had an ileostomy or colostomy; and must have evidence of intestinal inflammation; and must have evidence of failure to achieve an adequate response to prior systemic therapy as specified below; OR
Patient must have extensive intestinal inflammation affecting more than 50 cm of the small intestine as evidenced by radiological imaging; and must have a Crohn Disease Activity Index (CDAI) Score greater than or equal to 220; and must have evidence of failure to achieve an adequate response to prior systemic therapy as specified below.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) two completed authority prescription forms; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
Evidence of failure to achieve an adequate response to prior therapy must include at least one of the following:
(a) patient must have evidence of intestinal inflammation;
(b) patient must be assessed clinically as being in a high faecal output state;
(c) patient must be assessed clinically as requiring surgery or total parenteral nutrition (TPN) as the next therapeutic option, in the absence of this drug, if affected by short gut syndrome, extensive small intestine disease or is an ostomy patient.
Evidence of intestinal inflammation includes:
(i) blood: higher than normal platelet count, or, an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) greater than 25 mm per hour, or, a C-reactive protein (CRP) level greater than 15 mg per L; or
(ii) faeces: higher than normal lactoferrin or calprotectin level; or
(iii) diagnostic imaging: demonstration of increased uptake of intravenous contrast with thickening of the bowel wall or mesenteric lymphadenopathy or fat streaking in the mesentery.
Where fewer than 2 repeats are requested at the time of the application, authority approvals for sufficient repeats to complete a maximum of 16 weeks of treatment with adalimumab may be requested under the balance of supply restriction.
All assessments, pathology tests and diagnostic imaging studies must be made within 4 weeks of the date of application and should be performed preferably whilst still on conventional treatment, but no longer than 4 weeks following cessation of the most recent prior treatment.
If treatment with any of the specified prior conventional drugs is contraindicated according to the relevant TGA-approved Product Information, please provide details at the time of application.
If intolerance to treatment develops during the relevant period of use, which is of a severity necessitating permanent treatment withdrawal, details of this toxicity must be provided at the time of application.
Details of the accepted toxicities including severity can be found on the Services Australia website.
Any one of the baseline criteria may be used to determine response to an initial course of treatment and eligibility for continued therapy, according to the criteria included in the first or subsequent continuing treatment restrictions. However, the same criterion must be used for any subsequent determination of response to treatment, for the purpose of eligibility for continuing PBS-subsidised therapy.
An assessment of a patient's response to this initial course of treatment must be conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks prior the completion of this course of treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C13609 | P13609 | | Severe Crohn disease
Initial treatment - Initial 3 (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 5 years)
Must be treated by a gastroenterologist (code 87); OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 81)]; OR
Must be treated by a consultant physician [general medicine specialising in gastroenterology (code 82)].
Patient must have received prior PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have a break in treatment of 5 years or more from the most recently approved PBS-subsidised biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have confirmed severe Crohn disease, defined by standard clinical, endoscopic and/or imaging features, including histological evidence, with the diagnosis confirmed by a gastroenterologist or a consultant physician; AND
Patient must have a Crohn Disease Activity Index (CDAI) Score of greater than or equal to 300 that is no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application; OR
Patient must have a documented history of intestinal inflammation and have diagnostic imaging or surgical evidence of short gut syndrome if affected by the syndrome or has an ileostomy or colostomy; OR
Patient must have a documented history and radiological evidence of intestinal inflammation if the patient has extensive small intestinal disease affecting more than 50 cm of the small intestine, together with a Crohn Disease Activity Index (CDAI) Score greater than or equal to 220 and that is no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application; AND
Patient must have evidence of intestinal inflammation; OR
Patient must be assessed clinically as being in a high faecal output state; OR
Patient must be assessed clinically as requiring surgery or total parenteral nutrition (TPN) as the next therapeutic option, in the absence of this drug, if affected by short gut syndrome, extensive small intestine disease or is an ostomy patient; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) two completed authority prescription forms; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
Evidence of intestinal inflammation includes:
(i) blood: higher than normal platelet count, or, an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) greater than 25 mm per hour, or, a C-reactive protein (CRP) level greater than 15 mg per L; or
(ii) faeces: higher than normal lactoferrin or calprotectin level; or
(iii) diagnostic imaging: demonstration of increased uptake of intravenous contrast with thickening of the bowel wall or mesenteric lymphadenopathy or fat streaking in the mesentery.
Where fewer than 2 repeats are requested at the time of the application, authority approvals for sufficient repeats to complete a maximum of 16 weeks of treatment with adalimumab may be requested under the balance of supply restriction.
Any one of the baseline criteria may be used to determine response to an initial course of treatment and eligibility for continued therapy, according to the criteria included in the first or subsequent continuing treatment restrictions. However, the same criterion must be used for any subsequent determination of response to treatment, for the purpose of eligibility for continuing PBS-subsidised therapy.
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C13612 | P13612 | | Severe chronic plaque psoriasis
Initial treatment - Initial 3, Whole body (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 5 years)
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have a break in treatment of 5 years or more from the most recently approved PBS-subsidised biological medicine for this condition; AND
The condition must have a current Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score of greater than 15; AND
The treatment must be as systemic monotherapy (other than methotrexate); AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be treated by a dermatologist.
The most recent PASI assessment must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form(s); and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice) which includes the completed current Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) calculation sheets including the dates of assessment of the patient's condition.
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C13650 | P13650 | | Severe psoriatic arthritis
Initial treatment - Initial 1 (new patient)
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of psoriatic arthritis.
Patient must not have received PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have failed to achieve an adequate response to methotrexate at a dose of at least 20 mg weekly for a minimum period of 3 months; AND
Patient must have failed to achieve an adequate response to sulfasalazine at a dose of at least 2 g per day for a minimum period of 3 months; OR
Patient must have failed to achieve an adequate response to leflunomide at a dose of up to 20 mg daily for a minimum period of 3 months; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
Where treatment with methotrexate, sulfasalazine or leflunomide is contraindicated according to the relevant TGA-approved Product Information, details must be provided at the time of application.
Where intolerance to treatment with methotrexate, sulfasalazine or leflunomide developed during the relevant period of use, which was of a severity to necessitate permanent treatment withdrawal, details of the degree of this toxicity must be provided at the time of application.
The following initiation criteria indicate failure to achieve an adequate response and must be demonstrated in all patients at the time of the initial application:
an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) greater than 25 mm per hour or a C-reactive protein (CRP) level greater than 15 mg per L; and
either
(a) an active joint count of at least 20 active (swollen and tender) joints; or
(b) at least 4 active joints from the following list of major joints:
(i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or
(ii) shoulder and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
If the above requirement to demonstrate an elevated ESR or CRP cannot be met, the application must state the reasons why this criterion cannot be satisfied. Treatment with prednisolone dosed at 7.5 mg or higher daily (or equivalent) or a parenteral steroid within the past month (intramuscular or intravenous methylprednisolone or equivalent) is an acceptable reason.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
An assessment of a patient's response to this initial course of treatment must be conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks prior the completion of this course of treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C13681 | P13681 | | Severe active juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Initial treatment - Initial 1 (new patient)
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Patient must have a documented history of severe active juvenile idiopathic arthritis with onset prior to the age of 18 years; AND
Patient must have failed, in the 24 months immediately prior to the date of the application, to achieve an adequate response to a trial of at least 6 months of intensive treatment with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) which must include at least 3 months continuous treatment with each of at least 2 DMARDs, one of which must be methotrexate at a dose of at least 20 mg weekly and one of which must be: (i) hydroxychloroquine at a dose of at least 200 mg daily; or (ii) leflunomide at a dose of at least 10 mg daily; or (iii) sulfasalazine at a dose of at least 2 g daily; OR
Patient must have failed, in the 24 months immediately prior to the date of the application, to achieve an adequate response to a trial of at least 6 months of intensive treatment with DMARDs which, if methotrexate is contraindicated according to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)-approved Product Information or cannot be tolerated at a 20 mg weekly dose, must include at least 3 months continuous treatment with each of at least 2 of the following DMARDs: (i) hydroxychloroquine at a dose of at least 200 mg daily; and/or (ii) leflunomide at a dose of at least 10 mg daily; and/or (iii) sulfasalazine at a dose of at least 2 g daily; OR
Patient must have failed, in the 24 months immediately prior to the date of the application, to achieve an adequate response to a trial of at least 3 months of continuous treatment with a DMARD where 2 of: (i) hydroxychloroquine, (ii) leflunomide, (iii) sulfasalazine, are either contraindicated according to the relevant TGA-approved Product Information or cannot be tolerated at the doses specified above in addition to having a contraindication or intolerance to methotrexate: the remaining tolerated DMARD must be trialled at a minimum dose as mentioned above; OR
Patient must have a contraindication/severe intolerance to each of: (i) methotrexate, (ii) hydroxychloroquine, (iii) leflunomide, (iv) sulfasalazine; in such cases, provide details for each of the contraindications/severe intolerances claimed in the authority application; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
If methotrexate is contraindicated according to the TGA-approved Product Information or cannot be tolerated at a 20 mg weekly dose, the application must include details of the contraindication or intolerance to methotrexate. The maximum tolerated dose of methotrexate must be documented in the application, if applicable.
The application must include details of the DMARDs trialled, their doses and duration of treatment, and all relevant contraindications and/or intolerances.
The requirement to trial at least 2 DMARDs for periods of at least 3 months each can be met using single agents sequentially or by using one or more combinations of DMARDs.
If the requirement to trial 6 months of intensive DMARD therapy with at least 2 DMARDs cannot be met because of contraindications and/or intolerances of a severity necessitating permanent treatment withdrawal to all of the DMARDs specified above, details of the contraindication or intolerance and dose for each DMARD must be provided in the authority application.
The following criteria indicate failure to achieve an adequate response and must be demonstrated in all patients at the time of the initial application:
an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) greater than 25 mm per hour or a C-reactive protein (CRP) level greater than 15 mg per L; AND either
(a) an active joint count of at least 20 active (swollen and tender) joints; or
(b) at least 4 active joints from the following list:
(i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or
(ii) shoulder, cervical spine and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
The joint count and ESR and/or CRP must be determined at the completion of the 6 month intensive DMARD trial, but prior to ceasing DMARD therapy. All measurements must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of initial application.
If the above requirement to demonstrate an elevated ESR or CRP cannot be met, the application must state the reasons why this criterion cannot be satisfied.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
An assessment of a patient's response to this initial course of treatment must be conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks prior the completion of this course of treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C13694 | P13694 | | Severe psoriatic arthritis
Initial treatment - Initial 3 (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 5 years)
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of psoriatic arthritis.
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have had a break in treatment of 5 years or more from the most recently approved PBS-subsidised biological medicine for this condition; AND
The condition must have an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) greater than 25 mm per hour; OR
The condition must have a C-reactive protein (CRP) level greater than 15 mg per L; AND
The condition must have either (a) a total active joint count of at least 20 active (swollen and tender) joints; or (b) at least 4 active major joints; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
Major joints are defined as (i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or (ii) shoulder and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
All measures of joint count and ESR and/or CRP must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of initial application.
If the above requirement to demonstrate an elevated ESR or CRP cannot be met, the application must state the reasons why this criterion cannot be satisfied.
Where the baseline active joint count is based on total active joints (i.e. more than 20 active joints), response will be determined according to the reduction in the total number of active joints. Where the baseline is determined on total number of major joints, the response must be demonstrated on the total number of major joints. If only an ESR or CRP level is provided with the initial application, the same marker will be used to determine response.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
An application for a patient who has received PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment for this condition who wishes to recommence therapy with this drug, must be accompanied by evidence of a response to the patient's most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment, within the timeframes specified below.
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C14107 | | | Severe active juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Patient must be undergoing treatment under the supervision of a paediatric rheumatology treatment centre.
Patient must have received this drug as their most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment for this condition; AND
Patient must have demonstrated an adequate response to treatment with this drug; AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment per continuing treatment course authorised under this restriction.
An adequate response to treatment is defined as:
(a) a reduction in the total active (swollen and tender) joint count by at least 50% from baseline, where baseline is at least 20 active joints; or
(b) a reduction in the number of the following active joints, from at least 4, by at least 50%:
(i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or
(ii) shoulder, cervical spine and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
The assessment of response to treatment must be documented in the patient's medical records.
Determination of whether a response has been demonstrated to initial and subsequent courses of treatment will be based on the baseline measurement of joint count provided with the initial treatment application.
The assessment of the patient's response to the most recent course of biological medicine must be conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of treatment and no later than 4 weeks from the cessation of that treatment course. If the response assessment is not conducted within these timeframes, the patient will be deemed to have failed that most recent course of treatment in this treatment cycle.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 12 months have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction.
If a patient fails to respond to PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment 3 times they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised biological medicine therapy in this treatment cycle. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 14107 |
| C14136 | | | Severe active juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Patient must be undergoing treatment under the supervision of a paediatric rheumatology treatment centre.
Patient must have received this drug as their most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment for this condition; AND
Patient must have demonstrated an adequate response to treatment with this drug; AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment per continuing treatment course authorised under this restriction.
An adequate response to treatment is defined as:
(a) a reduction in the total active (swollen and tender) joint count by at least 50% from baseline, where baseline is at least 20 active joints; or
(b) a reduction in the number of the following active joints, from at least 4, by at least 50%:
(i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or
(ii) shoulder, cervical spine and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
The assessment of response to treatment must be documented in the patient's medical records.
Determination of whether a response has been demonstrated to initial and subsequent courses of treatment will be based on the baseline measurement of joint count provided with the initial treatment application.
The assessment of the patient's response to the most recent course of biological medicine must be conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of treatment and no later than 4 weeks from the cessation of that treatment course. If the response assessment is not conducted within these timeframes, the patient will be deemed to have failed that most recent course of treatment in this treatment cycle.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 12 months have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction.
If a patient fails to respond to PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment 3 times they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised biological medicine therapy in this treatment cycle. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 14136 |
| C14377 | P14377 | | Severe chronic plaque psoriasis
Initial treatment - Initial 1, Whole body (new patient)
Patient must have severe chronic plaque psoriasis where lesions have been present for at least 6 months from the time of initial diagnosis; AND
Patient must not have received PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have failed to achieve an adequate response, as demonstrated by a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) assessment, to at least 2 of the following 6 treatments: (i) phototherapy (UVB or PUVA) for 3 treatments per week for at least 6 weeks; (ii) methotrexate at a dose of at least 10 mg weekly for at least 6 weeks; (iii) ciclosporin at a dose of at least 2 mg per kg per day for at least 6 weeks; (iv) acitretin at a dose of at least 0.4 mg per kg per day for at least 6 weeks; (v) apremilast at a dose of 30 mg twice a day for at least 6 weeks; (vi) deucravacitinib at a dose of 6 mg once daily for at least 6 weeks; AND
The treatment must be as systemic monotherapy (other than methotrexate); AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be treated by a dermatologist.
Where treatment with methotrexate, ciclosporin, apremilast, deucravacitinib or acitretin is contraindicated according to the relevant TGA-approved Product Information, or where phototherapy is contraindicated, details must be provided at the time of application.
Where intolerance to treatment with phototherapy, methotrexate, ciclosporin, apremilast, deucravacitinib or acitretin developed during the relevant period of use, which was of a severity to necessitate permanent treatment withdrawal, details of the degree of this toxicity must be provided at the time of application.
Regardless of if a patient has a contraindication to treatment with either methotrexate, ciclosporin, apremilast, deucravacitinib, acitretin or phototherapy, the patient is still required to trial 2 of these prior therapies until a failure to achieve an adequate response is met.
The following criterion indicates failure to achieve an adequate response to prior treatment and must be demonstrated in the patient at the time of the application:
(a) A current Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score of greater than 15, as assessed, preferably whilst still on treatment, but no longer than 4 weeks following cessation of the most recent prior treatment.
(b) A PASI assessment must be completed for each prior treatment course, preferably whilst still on treatment, but no longer than 4 weeks following cessation of each course of treatment.
(c) The most recent PASI assessment must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form(s); and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice) which includes the following:
(i) the completed current and previous Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) calculation sheets including the dates of assessment of the patient's condition; and
(ii) details of previous phototherapy and systemic drug therapy [dosage (where applicable), date of commencement and duration of therapy].
An assessment of a patient's response to this initial course of treatment must be conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks prior the completion of this course of treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C14378 | P14378 | | Severe chronic plaque psoriasis
Initial treatment - Initial 1, Face, hand, foot (new patient)
Patient must have severe chronic plaque psoriasis of the face, or palm of a hand or sole of a foot where the plaque or plaques have been present for at least 6 months from the time of initial diagnosis; AND
Patient must not have received PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have failed to achieve an adequate response, as demonstrated by a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) assessment, to at least 2 of the following 6 treatments: (i) phototherapy (UVB or PUVA) for 3 treatments per week for at least 6 weeks; (ii) methotrexate at a dose of at least 10 mg weekly for at least 6 weeks; (iii) ciclosporin at a dose of at least 2 mg per kg per day for at least 6 weeks; (iv) acitretin at a dose of at least 0.4 mg per kg per day for at least 6 weeks; (v) apremilast at a dose of 30 mg twice a day for at least 6 weeks; (vi) deucravacitinib at a dose of 6 mg once daily for at least 6 weeks; AND
The treatment must be as systemic monotherapy (other than methotrexate); AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be treated by a dermatologist.
Where treatment with methotrexate, ciclosporin, apremilast, deucravacitinib or acitretin is contraindicated according to the relevant TGA-approved Product Information, or where phototherapy is contraindicated, details must be provided at the time of application.
Where intolerance to treatment with phototherapy, methotrexate, ciclosporin, apremilast, deucravacitinib or acitretin developed during the relevant period of use, which was of a severity to necessitate permanent treatment withdrawal, details of the degree of this toxicity must be provided at the time of application.
Regardless of if a patient has a contraindication to treatment with either methotrexate, ciclosporin, apremilast, deucravacitinib, acitretin or phototherapy, the patient is still required to trial 2 of these prior therapies until a failure to achieve an adequate response is met.
The following criterion indicates failure to achieve an adequate response to prior treatment and must be demonstrated in the patient at the time of the application:
(a) Chronic plaque psoriasis classified as severe due to a plaque or plaques on the face, palm of a hand or sole of a foot where:
(i) at least 2 of the 3 Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) symptom subscores for erythema, thickness and scaling are rated as severe or very severe, as assessed, preferably whilst still on treatment, but no longer than 4 weeks following cessation of the most recent prior treatment; or
(ii) the skin area affected is 30% or more of the face, palm of a hand or sole of a foot, as assessed, preferably whilst still on treatment, but no longer than 4 weeks following cessation of the most recent prior treatment;
(b) A PASI assessment must be completed for each prior treatment course, preferably whilst still on treatment, but no longer than 4 weeks following cessation of each course of treatment.
(c) The most recent PASI assessment must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form(s); and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice) which includes the following:
(i) the completed current and previous Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) calculation sheets, and the face, hand, foot area diagrams including the dates of assessment of the patient's condition; and
(ii) details of previous phototherapy and systemic drug therapy [dosage (where applicable), date of commencement and duration of therapy].
An assessment of a patient's response to this initial course of treatment must be conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks prior the completion of this course of treatment.
The PASI assessment for continuing treatment must be performed on the same affected area as assessed at baseline.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C14398 | P14398 | | Severe chronic plaque psoriasis
Initial treatment - Initial 1, Whole body (new patient)
Patient must have severe chronic plaque psoriasis where lesions have been present for at least 6 months from the time of initial diagnosis; AND
Patient must not have received PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have failed to achieve an adequate response, as demonstrated by a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) assessment, to at least 2 of the following 6 treatments: (i) phototherapy (UVB or PUVA) for 3 treatments per week for at least 6 weeks; (ii) methotrexate at a dose of at least 10 mg weekly for at least 6 weeks; (iii) ciclosporin at a dose of at least 2 mg per kg per day for at least 6 weeks; (iv) acitretin at a dose of at least 0.4 mg per kg per day for at least 6 weeks; (v) apremilast at a dose of 30 mg twice a day for at least 6 weeks; (vi) deucravacitinib at a dose of 6 mg once daily for at least 6 weeks; AND
The treatment must be as systemic monotherapy (other than methotrexate); AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 18 years or older.
Must be treated by a dermatologist.
Where treatment with methotrexate, ciclosporin, apremilast, deucravacitinib or acitretin is contraindicated according to the relevant TGA-approved Product Information, or where phototherapy is contraindicated, details must be provided at the time of application.
Where intolerance to treatment with phototherapy, methotrexate, ciclosporin, apremilast, deucravacitinib or acitretin developed during the relevant period of use, which was of a severity to necessitate permanent treatment withdrawal, details of the degree of this toxicity must be provided at the time of application.
Regardless of if a patient has a contraindication to treatment with either methotrexate, ciclosporin, apremilast, deucravacitinib, acitretin or phototherapy, the patient is still required to trial 2 of these prior therapies until a failure to achieve an adequate response is met.
The following criterion indicates failure to achieve an adequate response to prior treatment and must be demonstrated in the patient at the time of the application:
(a) A current Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score of greater than 15, as assessed, preferably whilst still on treatment, but no longer than 4 weeks following cessation of the most recent prior treatment.
(b) A PASI assessment must be completed for each prior treatment course, preferably whilst still on treatment, but no longer than 4 weeks following cessation of each course of treatment.
(c) The most recent PASI assessment must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form(s); and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice) which includes the following:
(i) the completed current and previous Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) calculation sheets including the dates of assessment of the patient's condition; and
(ii) details of previous phototherapy and systemic drug therapy [dosage (where applicable), date of commencement and duration of therapy].
An assessment of a patient's response to this initial course of treatment must be conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks prior the completion of this course of treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C14399 | P14399 | | Severe chronic plaque psoriasis
Initial treatment - Initial 1, Face, hand, foot (new patient)
Patient must have severe chronic plaque psoriasis of the face, or palm of a hand or sole of a foot where the plaque or plaques have been present for at least 6 months from the time of initial diagnosis; AND
Patient must not have received PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have failed to achieve an adequate response, as demonstrated by a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) assessment, to at least 2 of the following 6 treatments: (i) phototherapy (UVB or PUVA) for 3 treatments per week for at least 6 weeks; (ii) methotrexate at a dose of at least 10 mg weekly for at least 6 weeks; (iii) ciclosporin at a dose of at least 2 mg per kg per day for at least 6 weeks; (iv) acitretin at a dose of at least 0.4 mg per kg per day for at least 6 weeks; (v) apremilast at a dose of 30 mg twice a day for at least 6 weeks; (vi) deucravacitinib at a dose of 6 mg once daily for at least 6 weeks; AND
The treatment must be as systemic monotherapy (other than methotrexate); AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be aged 18 years or older.
Must be treated by a dermatologist.
Where treatment with methotrexate, ciclosporin, apremilast, deucravacitinib or acitretin is contraindicated according to the relevant TGA-approved Product Information, or where phototherapy is contraindicated, details must be provided at the time of application.
Where intolerance to treatment with phototherapy, methotrexate, ciclosporin, apremilast, deucravacitinib or acitretin developed during the relevant period of use, which was of a severity to necessitate permanent treatment withdrawal, details of the degree of this toxicity must be provided at the time of application.
Regardless of if a patient has a contraindication to treatment with either methotrexate, ciclosporin, apremilast, deucravacitinib, acitretin or phototherapy, the patient is still required to trial 2 of these prior therapies until a failure to achieve an adequate response is met.
The following criterion indicates failure to achieve an adequate response to prior treatment and must be demonstrated in the patient at the time of the application:
(a) Chronic plaque psoriasis classified as severe due to a plaque or plaques on the face, palm of a hand or sole of a foot where:
(i) at least 2 of the 3 Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) symptom subscores for erythema, thickness and scaling are rated as severe or very severe, as assessed, preferably whilst still on treatment, but no longer than 4 weeks following cessation of the most recent prior treatment; or
(ii) the skin area affected is 30% or more of the face, palm of a hand or sole of a foot, as assessed, preferably whilst still on treatment, but no longer than 4 weeks following cessation of the most recent prior treatment;
(b) A PASI assessment must be completed for each prior treatment course, preferably whilst still on treatment, but no longer than 4 weeks following cessation of each course of treatment.
(c) The most recent PASI assessment must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form(s); and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice) which includes the following:
(i) the completed current and previous Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) calculation sheets, and the face, hand, foot area diagrams including the dates of assessment of the patient's condition; and
(ii) details of previous phototherapy and systemic drug therapy [dosage (where applicable), date of commencement and duration of therapy].
An assessment of a patient's response to this initial course of treatment must be conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks prior the completion of this course of treatment.
The PASI assessment for continuing treatment must be performed on the same affected area as assessed at baseline.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C14483 | P14483 | | Severe active rheumatoid arthritis
Initial treatment - Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 24 months)
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Patient must have received prior PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition; OR
Patient must have received prior PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine under the paediatric Severe active juvenile idiopathic arthritis/Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis indication; AND
Patient must not have failed to respond to previous PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; AND
Patient must not have already failed/ceased to respond to PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment for this condition 5 times; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
Patients who have received PBS-subsided treatment for paediatric Severe active juvenile idiopathic arthritis or Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis where the condition has progressed to Rheumatoid arthritis may receive treatment through this restriction using existing baseline scores.
Where a patient is changing from a biosimilar medicine for the treatment of this condition, the prescriber must provide baseline disease severity indicators with this application, in addition to the response assessment outlined below.
An adequate response to treatment is defined as:
an ESR no greater than 25 mm per hour or a CRP level no greater than 15 mg per L or either marker reduced by at least 20% from baseline;
AND either of the following:
(a) a reduction in the total active (swollen and tender) joint count by at least 50% from baseline, where baseline is at least 20 active joints; or
(b) a reduction in the number of the following active joints, from at least 4, by at least 50%:
(i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or
(ii) shoulder and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
An application for a patient who is either changing treatment from another biological medicine to this drug or recommencing therapy with this drug after a treatment break of less than 24 months, must be accompanied with details of the evidence of a response to the patient's most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine, within the timeframes specified below.
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
Where the baseline active joint count is based on total active joints (i.e. more than 20 active joints), response must be determined according to the reduction in the total number of active joints. Where the baseline is determined on total number of major joints, the response must be determined on the total number of major joints. If only an ESR or CRP level is provided with the initial application, the same marker must be used to determine response.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition.
A patient who has demonstrated a response to a course of rituximab must have a PBS-subsidised biological therapy treatment-free period of at least 22 weeks, immediately following the second infusion, before swapping to an alternate biological medicine. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C14486 | P14486 | | Severe active rheumatoid arthritis
Initial treatment - Initial 3 (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 24 months)
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have a break in treatment of 24 months or more from the most recent PBS-subsidised biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must not have failed to respond to previous PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; AND
Patient must not have already failed/ceased to respond to PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment for this condition 5 times; AND
The condition must have an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) greater than 25 mm per hour; OR
The condition must have a C-reactive protein (CRP) level greater than 15 mg per L; AND
The condition must have either: (a) a total active joint count of at least 20 active (swollen and tender) joints; (b) at least 4 active major joints; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
Major joints are defined as (i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or (ii) shoulder and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
All measures of joint count and ESR and/or CRP must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of initial application.
If the requirement to demonstrate an elevated ESR or CRP cannot be met, the application must state the reasons why this criterion cannot be satisfied. Treatment with prednisolone dosed at 7.5 mg or higher daily (or equivalent) or a parenteral steroid within the past month (intramuscular or intravenous methylprednisolone or equivalent) is an acceptable reason.
Where the baseline active joint count is based on total active joints (i.e. more than 20 active joints), response must be determined according to the reduction in the total number of active joints. Where the baseline is determined on total number of major joints, the response must be determined on the total number of major joints. If only an ESR or CRP level is provided with the initial application, the same marker must be used to determine response.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C14488 | P14488 | | Severe active rheumatoid arthritis
Initial 1 (new patient) or Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 24 months) or Initial 3 (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 24 months) - balance of supply
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 1 (new patient) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 24 months) restriction to complete 16 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial 3 (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 24 months) to complete 16 weeks of treatment; AND
The treatment must provide no more than the balance of up to 16 weeks treatment available under the above restrictions. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C14493 | P14493 | | Severe active rheumatoid arthritis
First continuing treatment
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Patient must have received this drug as their most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment for this condition; AND
Patient must have demonstrated an adequate response to treatment with this drug; AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
An adequate response to treatment is defined as:
an ESR no greater than 25 mm per hour or a CRP level no greater than 15 mg per L or either marker reduced by at least 20% from baseline;
AND either of the following:
(a) a reduction in the total active (swollen and tender) joint count by at least 50% from baseline, where baseline is at least 20 active joints; or
(b) a reduction in the number of the following active joints, from at least 4, by at least 50%:
(i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or
(ii) shoulder and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
Where the baseline active joint count is based on total active joints (i.e. more than 20 active joints), response must be determined according to the reduction in the total number of active joints. Where the baseline is determined on total number of major joints, the response must be determined on the total number of major joints. If only an ESR or CRP level is provided with the initial application, the same marker must be used to determine response.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
An application for the continuing treatment must be accompanied with the assessment of response conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of treatment. This will enable ongoing treatment for those who meet the continuing restriction for PBS-subsidised treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient has either failed or ceased to respond to a PBS-subsidised biological medicine for this condition 5 times, they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C14496 | P14496 | | Severe active rheumatoid arthritis
Initial treatment - Initial 1 (new patient)
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Patient must not have received PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have failed, in the 24 months immediately prior to the date of the application, to achieve an adequate response to a trial of at least 6 months of intensive treatment with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) which must include at least 3 months continuous treatment with at least 2 DMARDs, one of which must be methotrexate at a dose of at least 20 mg weekly plus one of the following: (i) hydroxychloroquine at a dose of at least 200 mg daily; (ii) leflunomide at a dose of at least 10 mg daily; (iii) sulfasalazine at a dose of at least 2 g daily; OR
Patient must have failed, in the 24 months immediately prior to the date of the application, to achieve an adequate response to a trial of at least 6 months of intensive treatment with DMARDs which, if methotrexate is contraindicated according to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)-approved Product Information/cannot be tolerated at a 20 mg weekly dose, must include at least 3 months continuous treatment with at least 2 of the following DMARDs: (i) hydroxychloroquine at a dose of at least 200 mg daily; (ii) leflunomide at a dose of at least 10 mg daily; (iii) sulfasalazine at a dose of at least 2 g daily; OR
Patient must have failed, in the 24 months immediately prior to the date of the application, to achieve an adequate response to a trial of at least 3 months of continuous treatment with a DMARD where 2 of: (i) hydroxychloroquine, (ii) leflunomide, (iii) sulfasalazine, are contraindicated according to the relevant TGA-approved Product Information/cannot be tolerated at the doses specified above in addition to having a contraindication or intolerance to methotrexate: the remaining tolerated DMARD must be trialled at a minimum dose as mentioned above; OR
Patient must have a contraindication/severe intolerance to each of: (i) methotrexate, (ii) hydroxychloroquine, (iii) leflunomide, (iv) sulfasalazine; in such cases, provide details of the contraindications/severe intolerances; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
If methotrexate is contraindicated according to the TGA-approved product information or cannot be tolerated at a 20 mg weekly dose, details of the contraindication or intolerance including severity to methotrexate must be provided at the time of application and documented in the patient's medical records. The maximum tolerated dose of methotrexate must be provided at the time of the application, if applicable, and documented in the patient's medical records.
The application must include details of the DMARDs trialled, their doses and duration of treatment, and all relevant contraindications and/or intolerances including severity.
The requirement to trial at least 2 DMARDs for periods of at least 3 months each can be met using single agents sequentially or by using one or more combinations of DMARDs, however the time on treatment must be at least 6 months.
If the requirement to trial 6 months of intensive DMARD therapy with at least 2 DMARDs cannot be met because of contraindications and/or intolerances of a severity necessitating permanent treatment withdrawal to all of the DMARDs specified above, details of the contraindication or intolerance including severity and dose for each DMARD must be provided at the time of application and documented in the patient's medical records.
The following criteria indicate failure to achieve an adequate response to DMARD treatment and must be demonstrated in all patients at the time of the initial application:
an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) greater than 25 mm per hour and/or a C-reactive protein (CRP) level greater than 15 mg per L; AND either
(a) a total active joint count of at least 20 active (swollen and tender) joints; or
(b) at least 4 active joints from the following list of major joints:
(i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or
(ii) shoulder and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
The assessment of response to prior treatment must be documented in the patient's medical records.
The joint count and ESR and/or CRP must be determined at the completion of the 6 month intensive DMARD trial, but prior to ceasing DMARD therapy. All measures must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of initial application.
If the requirement to demonstrate an elevated ESR or CRP cannot be met, the reasons why this criterion cannot be satisfied must be documented in the patient's medical records. Treatment with prednisolone dosed at 7.5 mg or higher daily (or equivalent) or a parenteral steroid within the past month (intramuscular or intravenous methylprednisolone or equivalent) is an acceptable reason.
Where the baseline active joint count is based on total active joints (i.e. more than 20 active joints), response must be determined according to the reduction in the total number of active joints. Where the baseline is determined on total number of major joints, the response must be determined on the total number of major joints. If only an ESR or CRP level is provided with the initial application, the same marker must be used to determine response.
The following information must be provided by the prescriber at the time of application and documented in the patient's medical records:
(a) the active joint count, ESR and/or CRP result and date of results;
(b) details of prior treatment, including dose and date/duration of treatment.
(c) If applicable, details of any contraindications/intolerances.
(d) If applicable, the maximum tolerated dose of methotrexate.
An assessment of a patient's response to this initial course of treatment must be conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks prior the completion of this course of treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C14498 | P14498 | | Severe active rheumatoid arthritis
Initial treatment - Initial 1 (new patient)
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Patient must not have received PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have failed, in the 24 months immediately prior to the date of the application, to achieve an adequate response to a trial of at least 6 months of intensive treatment with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) which must include at least 3 months continuous treatment with at least 2 DMARDs, one of which must be methotrexate at a dose of at least 20 mg weekly plus one of the following: (i) hydroxychloroquine at a dose of at least 200 mg daily; (ii) leflunomide at a dose of at least 10 mg daily; (iii) sulfasalazine at a dose of at least 2 g daily; OR
Patient must have failed, in the 24 months immediately prior to the date of the application, to achieve an adequate response to a trial of at least 6 months of intensive treatment with DMARDs which, if methotrexate is contraindicated according to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)-approved Product Information/cannot be tolerated at a 20 mg weekly dose, must include at least 3 months continuous treatment with at least 2 of the following DMARDs: (i) hydroxychloroquine at a dose of at least 200 mg daily; (ii) leflunomide at a dose of at least 10 mg daily; (iii) sulfasalazine at a dose of at least 2 g daily; OR
Patient must have failed, in the 24 months immediately prior to the date of the application, to achieve an adequate response to a trial of at least 3 months of continuous treatment with a DMARD where 2 of: (i) hydroxychloroquine, (ii) leflunomide, (iii) sulfasalazine, are contraindicated according to the relevant TGA-approved Product Information/cannot be tolerated at the doses specified above in addition to having a contraindication or intolerance to methotrexate: the remaining tolerated DMARD must be trialled at a minimum dose as mentioned above; OR
Patient must have a contraindication/severe intolerance to each of: (i) methotrexate, (ii) hydroxychloroquine, (iii) leflunomide, (iv) sulfasalazine; in such cases, provide details for each of the contraindications/severe intolerances claimed in the authority application; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
If methotrexate is contraindicated according to the TGA-approved product information or cannot be tolerated at a 20 mg weekly dose, the application must include details of the contraindication or intolerance including severity to methotrexate. The maximum tolerated dose of methotrexate must be documented in the application, if applicable.
The application must include details of the DMARDs trialled, their doses and duration of treatment, and all relevant contraindications and/or intolerances including severity.
The requirement to trial at least 2 DMARDs for periods of at least 3 months each can be met using single agents sequentially or by using one or more combinations of DMARDs, however the time on treatment must be at least 6 months.
If the requirement to trial 6 months of intensive DMARD therapy with at least 2 DMARDs cannot be met because of contraindications and/or intolerances of a severity necessitating permanent treatment withdrawal to all of the DMARDs specified above, details of the contraindication or intolerance including severity and dose for each DMARD must be provided in the authority application.
The following criteria indicate failure to achieve an adequate response to DMARD treatment and must be demonstrated in all patients at the time of the initial application:
an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) greater than 25 mm per hour and/or a C-reactive protein (CRP) level greater than 15 mg per L; AND either
(a) a total active joint count of at least 20 active (swollen and tender) joints; or
(b) at least 4 active joints from the following list of major joints:
(i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or
(ii) shoulder and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
The joint count and ESR and/or CRP must be determined at the completion of the 6 month intensive DMARD trial, but prior to ceasing DMARD therapy. All measures must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of initial application.
If the requirement to demonstrate an elevated ESR or CRP cannot be met, the application must state the reasons why this criterion cannot be satisfied. Treatment with prednisolone dosed at 7.5 mg or higher daily (or equivalent) or a parenteral steroid within the past month (intramuscular or intravenous methylprednisolone or equivalent) is an acceptable reason.
Where the baseline active joint count is based on total active joints (i.e. more than 20 active joints), response must be determined according to the reduction in the total number of active joints. Where the baseline is determined on total number of major joints, the response must be determined on the total number of major joints. If only an ESR or CRP level is provided with the initial application, the same marker must be used to determine response.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
An assessment of a patient's response to this initial course of treatment must be conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks prior the completion of this course of treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C14499 | P14499 | | Severe active rheumatoid arthritis
Subsequent continuing treatment
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Patient must have received this drug as their most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment for this condition under the First continuing treatment restriction; OR
Patient must have received this drug under this treatment phase as their most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine; AND
Patient must have demonstrated an adequate response to treatment with this drug; AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
An adequate response to treatment is defined as:
an ESR no greater than 25 mm per hour or a CRP level no greater than 15 mg per L or either marker reduced by at least 20% from baseline;
AND either of the following:
(a) a reduction in the total active (swollen and tender) joint count by at least 50% from baseline, where baseline is at least 20 active joints; or
(b) a reduction in the number of the following active joints, from at least 4, by at least 50%:
(i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or
(ii) shoulder and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
The assessment of response to treatment must be documented in the patient's medical records and must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of the authority application.
Where the baseline active joint count is based on total active joints (i.e. more than 20 active joints), response must be determined according to the reduction in the total number of active joints. Where the baseline is determined on total number of major joints, the response must be determined on the total number of major joints. If only an ESR or CRP level is provided with the initial application, the same marker must be used to determine response.
If a patient has either failed or ceased to respond to a PBS-subsidised biological medicine for this condition 5 times, they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 14499 |
| C14507 | P14507 | | Severe active rheumatoid arthritis
First continuing treatment - balance of supply
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the first continuing treatment restriction to complete 24 weeks treatment; AND
The treatment must provide no more than the balance of up to 24 weeks treatment. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C14567 | P14567 | | Severe active rheumatoid arthritis
First continuing treatment
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Patient must have received this drug as their most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment for this condition; AND
Patient must have demonstrated an adequate response to treatment with this drug; AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
An adequate response to treatment is defined as:
an ESR no greater than 25 mm per hour or a CRP level no greater than 15 mg per L or either marker reduced by at least 20% from baseline;
AND either of the following:
(a) a reduction in the total active (swollen and tender) joint count by at least 50% from baseline, where baseline is at least 20 active joints; or
(b) a reduction in the number of the following active joints, from at least 4, by at least 50%:
(i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or
(ii) shoulder and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
The assessment of response to treatment must be documented in the patient's medical records and must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of the authority application.
Where the baseline active joint count is based on total active joints (i.e. more than 20 active joints), response must be determined according to the reduction in the total number of active joints. Where the baseline is determined on total number of major joints, the response must be determined on the total number of major joints. If only an ESR or CRP level is provided with the initial application, the same marker must be used to determine response.
If a patient has either failed or ceased to respond to a PBS-subsidised biological medicine for this condition 5 times, they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 14567 |
| C14568 | P14568 | | Severe active rheumatoid arthritis
Initial treatment - Initial 3 (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 24 months)
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have a break in treatment of 24 months or more from the most recent PBS-subsidised biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must not have failed to respond to previous PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; AND
Patient must not have already failed/ceased to respond to PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment for this condition 5 times; AND
The condition must have an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) greater than 25 mm per hour; OR
The condition must have a C-reactive protein (CRP) level greater than 15 mg per L; AND
The condition must have either: (a) a total active joint count of at least 20 active (swollen and tender) joints; (b) at least 4 active major joints; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
Major joints are defined as (i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or (ii) shoulder and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
All measures of joint count and ESR and/or CRP must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of initial application.
If the requirement to demonstrate an elevated ESR or CRP cannot be met, the reasons why this criterion cannot be satisfied must be documented in the patient's medical records. Treatment with prednisolone dosed at 7.5 mg or higher daily (or equivalent) or a parenteral steroid within the past month (intramuscular or intravenous methylprednisolone or equivalent) is an acceptable reason.
Where the baseline active joint count is based on total active joints (i.e. more than 20 active joints), response must be determined according to the reduction in the total number of active joints. Where the baseline is determined on total number of major joints, the response must be determined on the total number of major joints. If only an ESR or CRP level is provided with the initial application, the same marker must be used to determine response.
The following information must be provided by the prescriber at the time of application and documented in the patient's medical records:
(a) the active joint count, ESR and/or CRP result and date of result;
(b) the most recent biological agent and the date of the last continuing prescription.
(c) If applicable, the new baseline scores.
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C14590 | P14590 | | Severe active rheumatoid arthritis
Initial treatment - Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 24 months)
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.
Patient must have received prior PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition; OR
Patient must have received prior PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine under the paediatric Severe active juvenile idiopathic arthritis/Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis indication; AND
Patient must not have failed to respond to previous PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; AND
Patient must not have already failed/ceased to respond to PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment for this condition 5 times; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
Patients who have received PBS-subsided treatment for paediatric Severe active juvenile idiopathic arthritis or Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis where the condition has progressed to Rheumatoid arthritis may receive treatment through this restriction using existing baseline scores.
Where a patient is changing from a biosimilar medicine for the treatment of this condition, the prescriber must provide baseline disease severity indicators with this application, in addition to the response assessment outlined below.
An adequate response to treatment is defined as:
an ESR no greater than 25 mm per hour or a CRP level no greater than 15 mg per L or either marker reduced by at least 20% from baseline;
AND either of the following:
(a) a reduction in the total active (swollen and tender) joint count by at least 50% from baseline, where baseline is at least 20 active joints; or
(b) a reduction in the number of the following active joints, from at least 4, by at least 50%:
(i) elbow, wrist, knee and/or ankle (assessed as swollen and tender); and/or
(ii) shoulder and/or hip (assessed as pain in passive movement and restriction of passive movement, where pain and limitation of movement are due to active disease and not irreversible damage such as joint destruction or bony overgrowth).
The assessment of response to treatment must be documented in the patient's medical records.
An application for a patient who is either changing treatment from another biological medicine to this drug or recommencing therapy with this drug after a treatment break of less than 24 months, must be accompanied with details of the evidence of a response to the patient's most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine, within the timeframes specified below.
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within the required timeframe, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug, unless the patient has experienced a serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment.
Where the baseline active joint count is based on total active joints (i.e. more than 20 active joints), response must be determined according to the reduction in the total number of active joints. Where the baseline is determined on total number of major joints, the response must be determined on the total number of major joints. If only an ESR or CRP level is provided with the initial application, the same marker must be used to determine response.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug under this restriction they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition.
A patient who has demonstrated a response to a course of rituximab must have a PBS-subsidised biological therapy treatment-free period of at least 22 weeks, immediately following the second infusion, before swapping to an alternate biological medicine. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C14655 | P14655 | | Ankylosing spondylitis
Initial treatment - Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 5 years)
Patient must have received prior PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition in this treatment cycle; AND
Patient must not have already failed/ceased to respond to PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition during the current treatment cycle; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of ankylosing spondylitis.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
An application for a patient who is either changing treatment from another biological medicine to this drug or recommencing therapy with this drug after a treatment break of less than 5 years, must be accompanied with details of the evidence of a response to the patient's most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine within the timeframes specified below.
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
Where a patient is changing from PBS-subsidised treatment with a biosimilar medicine for this condition, the prescriber must submit baseline disease severity indicators with this application, in addition to the response assessment outlined below.
An adequate response is defined as an improvement from baseline of at least 2 units (on a scale of 0-10) in the BASDAI score combined with at least 1 of the following:
(a) an ESR measurement no greater than 25 mm per hour; or
(b) a CRP measurement no greater than 10 mg per L; or
(c) an ESR or CRP measurement reduced by at least 20% from baseline.
Where only 1 acute phase reactant measurement is supplied in the first application for PBS-subsidised treatment, that same marker must be measured and used to assess all future responses to treatment.
The assessment of response to treatment must be documented in the patient's medical records.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within these timeframes, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C14656 | P14656 | | Ankylosing spondylitis
Subsequent continuing treatment
Patient must have received this drug as their most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment for this condition under the First continuing treatment restriction; OR
Patient must have received this drug under this treatment phase as their most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine; AND
Patient must have demonstrated an adequate response to treatment with this drug; AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of ankylosing spondylitis.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
An adequate response is defined as an improvement from baseline of at least 2 units (on a scale of 0-10) in the BASDAI score combined with at least 1 of the following:
(a) an ESR measurement no greater than 25 mm per hour; or
(b) a CRP measurement no greater than 10 mg per L; or
(c) an ESR or CRP measurement reduced by at least 20% from baseline.
Where only 1 acute phase reactant measurement is supplied in the first application for PBS-subsidised treatment, that same marker must be measured and used to assess all future responses to treatment.
The assessment of response to treatment must be documented in the patient's medical records.
An application for the continuing treatment must be accompanied with the assessment of response conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of treatment. This will enable ongoing treatment for those who meet the continuing restriction for PBS-subsidised treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within these timeframes, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C14662 | P14662 | | Ankylosing spondylitis
Initial treatment - Initial 3 (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 5 years)
Patient must have received prior PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have a break in treatment of at least 5 years from the most recently approved PBS-subsidised biological medicine for this condition; AND
The condition must be either radiologically (plain X-ray) confirmed: (i) Grade II bilateral sacroiliitis; (ii) Grade III unilateral sacroiliitis; AND
Patient must have at least 2 of the following: (i) low back pain and stiffness for 3 or more months that is relieved by exercise but not by rest; (ii) limitation of motion of the lumbar spine in the sagittal and the frontal planes as determined by a score of at least 1 on each of the lumbar flexion and lumbar side flexion measurements of the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI); (iii) limitation of chest expansion relative to normal values for age and gender; AND
Patient must have a Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) of at least 4 on a 0-10 scale that is no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application; AND
Patient must have an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) greater than 25 mm per hour that is no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application; OR
Patient must have a C-reactive protein (CRP) level greater than 10 mg per L that is no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application; OR
Patient must have a clinical reason as to why demonstration of an elevated ESR or CRP cannot be met and the application must state the reason; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of ankylosing spondylitis.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
The following must be provided at the time of application and documented in the patient's medical records:
(i) details (name of the radiology report provider, date of the radiology report and unique identifying number/code that links report to the individual patient) of the radiological report confirming Grade II bilateral sacroiliitis or Grade III unilateral sacroiliitis; and
(ii) a baseline BASDAI score; and
(iii) a baseline ESR and/or CRP level.
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within these timeframes, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C14670 | P14670 | | Ankylosing spondylitis
Initial treatment - Initial 1 (new patient)
The condition must be either radiologically (plain X-ray) confirmed: (i) Grade II bilateral sacroiliitis; (ii) Grade III unilateral sacroiliitis; AND
Patient must not have received PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have at least 2 of the following: (i) low back pain and stiffness for 3 or more months that is relieved by exercise but not by rest; (ii) limitation of motion of the lumbar spine in the sagittal and the frontal planes as determined by a score of at least 1 on each of the lumbar flexion and lumbar side flexion measurements of the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI); (iii) limitation of chest expansion relative to normal values for age and gender; AND
Patient must have failed to achieve an adequate response following treatment with at least 2 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), whilst completing an appropriate exercise program, for a total period of 3 months; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of ankylosing spondylitis.
The application must include details of the NSAIDs trialled, their doses and duration of treatment.
If the NSAID dose is less than the maximum recommended dose in the relevant TGA-approved Product Information, the application must include the reason a higher dose cannot be used.
If treatment with NSAIDs is contraindicated according to the relevant TGA-approved Product Information, the application must provide details of the contraindication.
If intolerance to NSAID treatment develops during the relevant period of use which is of a severity to necessitate permanent treatment withdrawal, the application must provide details of the nature and severity of this intolerance.
The following criteria indicate failure to achieve an adequate response and must be demonstrated at the time of the initial application:
(a) a Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) of at least 4 on a 0-10 scale; and
(b) an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) greater than 25 mm per hour or a C-reactive protein (CRP) level greater than 10 mg per L.
The baseline BASDAI score and ESR or CRP level must be determined at the completion of the 3 month NSAID and exercise trial, but prior to ceasing NSAID treatment. All measurements must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of initial application.
If the above requirement to demonstrate an elevated ESR or CRP cannot be met, the application must state the reason this criterion cannot be satisfied.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
The following must be provided at the time of application and documented in the patient's medical records:
(i) details (name of the radiology report provider, date of the radiology report and unique identifying number/code that links report to the individual patient) of the radiological report confirming Grade II bilateral sacroiliitis or Grade III unilateral sacroiliitis; and
(ii) a baseline BASDAI score; and
(iii) a completed Exercise Program Self Certification Form included in the supporting information form; and
(iv) baseline ESR and/or CRP level.
An assessment of a patient's response to this initial course of treatment must be conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks prior the completion of this course of treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within these timeframes, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C14672 | P14672 | | Ankylosing spondylitis
Initial treatment - Initial 3 (recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of more than 5 years)
Patient must have received prior PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition; AND
Patient must have a break in treatment of 5 years or more from the most recently approved PBS-subsidised biological medicine for this condition; AND
The condition must be either radiologically (plain X-ray) confirmed: (i) Grade II bilateral sacroiliitis; (ii) Grade III unilateral sacroiliitis; AND
Patient must have at least 2 of the following: (i) low back pain and stiffness for 3 or more months that is relieved by exercise but not by rest; (ii) limitation of motion of the lumbar spine in the sagittal and the frontal planes as determined by a score of at least 1 on each of the lumbar flexion and lumbar side flexion measurements of the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI); (iii) limitation of chest expansion relative to normal values for age and gender; AND
Patient must have a Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) of at least 4 on a 0-10 scale that is no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application; AND
Patient must have an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) greater than 25 mm per hour that is no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application; OR
Patient must have a C-reactive protein (CRP) level greater than 10 mg per L that is no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application; OR
Patient must have a clinical reason as to why demonstration of an elevated ESR or CRP cannot be met and the application must state the reason; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of ankylosing spondylitis.
The following must be provided at the time of application and documented in the patient's medical records:
(i) details (name of the radiology report provider, date of the radiology report and unique identifying number/code that links report to the individual patient) of the radiological report confirming Grade II bilateral sacroiliitis or Grade III unilateral sacroiliitis; and
(ii) a baseline BASDAI score; and
(iii) a baseline ESR and/or CRP level.
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within these timeframes, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C14673 | P14673 | | Ankylosing spondylitis
Initial treatment - Initial 2 (change or recommencement of treatment after a break in biological medicine of less than 5 years)
Patient must have received prior PBS-subsidised treatment with a biological medicine for this condition in this treatment cycle; AND
Patient must not have already failed/ceased to respond to PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition during the current treatment cycle; AND
Patient must not receive more than 16 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of ankylosing spondylitis.
An application for a patient who is either changing treatment from another biological medicine to this drug or recommencing therapy with this drug after a treatment break of less than 5 years, must be accompanied with details of the evidence of a response to the patient's most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine within the timeframes specified below.
To demonstrate a response to treatment the application must be accompanied with the assessment of response, conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of biological medicine. It is recommended that an application for the continuing treatment be submitted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent course of treatment. This is to ensure treatment continuity for those who meet the continuing restriction.
Where a patient is changing from PBS-subsidised treatment with a biosimilar medicine for this condition, the prescriber must submit baseline disease severity indicators with this application, in addition to the response assessment outlined below.
An adequate response is defined as an improvement from baseline of at least 2 units (on a scale of 0-10) in the BASDAI score combined with at least 1 of the following:
(a) an ESR measurement no greater than 25 mm per hour; or
(b) a CRP measurement no greater than 10 mg per L; or
(c) an ESR or CRP measurement reduced by at least 20% from baseline.
Where only 1 acute phase reactant measurement is supplied in the first application for PBS-subsidised treatment, that same marker must be measured and used to assess all future responses to treatment.
The assessment of response to treatment must be documented in the patient's medical records.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within these timeframes, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C14683 | P14683 | | Ankylosing spondylitis
First continuing treatment
Patient must have received this drug as their most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment for this condition; AND
Patient must have demonstrated an adequate response to treatment with this drug; AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of ankylosing spondylitis.
An adequate response is defined as an improvement from baseline of at least 2 units (on a scale of 0-10) in the BASDAI score combined with at least 1 of the following:
(a) an ESR measurement no greater than 25 mm per hour; or
(b) a CRP measurement no greater than 10 mg per L; or
(c) an ESR or CRP measurement reduced by at least 20% from baseline.
Where only 1 acute phase reactant measurement is supplied in the first application for PBS-subsidised treatment, that same marker must be measured and used to assess all future responses to treatment.
The assessment of response to treatment must be documented in the patient's medical records and must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of the authority application.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 14683 |
| C14701 | P14701 | | Ankylosing spondylitis
Subsequent continuing treatment
Patient must have received this drug as their most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment for this condition under the First continuing treatment restriction; OR
Patient must have received this drug under this treatment phase as their most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine; AND
Patient must have demonstrated an adequate response to treatment with this drug; AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of ankylosing spondylitis.
An adequate response is defined as an improvement from baseline of at least 2 units (on a scale of 0-10) in the BASDAI score combined with at least 1 of the following:
(a) an ESR measurement no greater than 25 mm per hour; or
(b) a CRP measurement no greater than 10 mg per L; or
(c) an ESR or CRP measurement reduced by at least 20% from baseline.
Where only 1 acute phase reactant measurement is supplied in the first application for PBS-subsidised treatment, that same marker must be measured and used to assess all future responses to treatment.
The assessment of response to treatment must be documented in the patient's medical records and must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of the authority application.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 14701 |
| C14713 | P14713 | | Ankylosing spondylitis
First continuing treatment
Patient must have received this drug as their most recent course of PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment for this condition; AND
Patient must have demonstrated an adequate response to treatment with this drug; AND
Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of treatment under this restriction.
Patient must be at least 18 years of age.
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of ankylosing spondylitis.
The authority application must be made in writing and must include:
(1) a completed authority prescription form; and
(2) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
An adequate response is defined as an improvement from baseline of at least 2 units (on a scale of 0-10) in the BASDAI score combined with at least 1 of the following:
(a) an ESR measurement no greater than 25 mm per hour; or
(b) a CRP measurement no greater than 10 mg per L; or
(c) an ESR or CRP measurement reduced by at least 20% from baseline.
Where only 1 acute phase reactant measurement is supplied in the first application for PBS-subsidised treatment, that same marker must be measured and used to assess all future responses to treatment.
The assessment of response to treatment must be documented in the patient's medical records.
An application for the continuing treatment must be accompanied with the assessment of response conducted following a minimum of 12 weeks of therapy and no later than 4 weeks from cessation of the most recent course of treatment. This will enable ongoing treatment for those who meet the continuing restriction for PBS-subsidised treatment.
Where a response assessment is not conducted within these timeframes, the patient will be deemed to have failed to respond to treatment with this drug.
If a patient fails to demonstrate a response to treatment with this drug they will not be eligible to receive further PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition within this treatment cycle. Serious adverse reaction of a severity resulting in the necessity for permanent withdrawal of treatment is not considered as a treatment failure.
A patient may re-trial this drug after a minimum of 5 years have elapsed between the date the last prescription for a PBS-subsidised biological medicine was approved in this cycle and the date of the first application under a new cycle under the Initial 3 treatment restriction. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C14730 | P14730 | | Ankylosing spondylitis
Continuing treatment - balance of supply
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the first continuing treatment restriction to complete 24 weeks treatment; OR
Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the subsequent continuing Authority Required (in writing) treatment restriction to complete 24 weeks treatment; AND
The treatment must provide no more than the balance of up to 24 weeks treatment available under the above restrictions.
Must be treated by a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of ankylosing spondylitis. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
Adapalene with benzoyl peroxide | C4898 | P4898 | | Severe acne vulgaris
The treatment must be maintenance therapy. | |
C4961 | P4961 | | Severe acne vulgaris
Acute treatment
The treatment must in combination with an oral antibiotic. | |
C14275 | P14275 | | Severe acne vulgaris
The condition must be stable for the prescriber to consider the listed maximum quantity of this medicine suitable for this patient; AND
The treatment must be maintenance therapy. | |
Adefovir | C4490 | | | Chronic hepatitis B infection
Patient must not have cirrhosis; AND
Patient must have failed antihepadnaviral therapy; AND
Patient must have repeatedly elevated serum ALT levels while on concurrent antihepadnaviral therapy of greater than or equal to 6 months duration, in conjunction with documented chronic hepatitis B infection; OR
Patient must have repeatedly elevated HBV DNA levels one log greater than the nadir value or failure to achieve a 1 log reduction in HBV DNA within 3 months whilst on previous antihepadnaviral therapy, except in patients with evidence of poor compliance. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 4490 |
C4510 | | | Chronic hepatitis B infection
Patient must have cirrhosis; AND
Patient must have failed antihepadnaviral therapy; AND
Patient must have detectable HBV DNA.
Patients with Child's class B or C cirrhosis (ascites, variceal bleeding, encephalopathy, albumin less than 30 g per L, bilirubin greater than 30 micromoles per L) should have their treatment discussed with a transplant unit prior to initiating therapy. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 4510 |
Adrenaline (epinephrine) | C4909 | | | Acute allergic reaction with anaphylaxis
Initial sole PBS-subsidised supply for anticipated emergency treatment
Patient must have been assessed to be at significant risk of anaphylaxis by, or in consultation with a clinical immunologist; OR
Patient must have been assessed to be at significant risk of anaphylaxis by, or in consultation with an allergist; OR
Patient must have been assessed to be at significant risk of anaphylaxis by, or in consultation with a paediatrician; OR
Patient must have been assessed to be at significant risk of anaphylaxis by, or in consultation with a respiratory physician.
The name of the specialist consulted must be provided at the time of application for initial supply. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4947 | | | Acute allergic reaction with anaphylaxis
Continuing sole PBS-subsidised supply for anticipated emergency treatment
Patient must have previously been issued with an authority prescription for this drug. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C8734 | | | Acute allergic reaction with anaphylaxis Initial sole PBS-subsidised supply for anticipated emergency treatment
Patient must have been discharged from hospital or an emergency department after treatment with adrenaline (epinephrine) for acute allergic reaction with anaphylaxis. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
Afatinib | C4473 | | | Stage IIIB (locally advanced) or Stage IV (metastatic) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Initial treatment
The treatment must be as monotherapy; AND
The condition must be non-squamous type non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or not otherwise specified type NSCLC; AND
Patient must not have received previous PBS-subsidised treatment with another epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI); OR
Patient must have developed intolerance to another epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) of a severity necessitating permanent treatment withdrawal; AND
Patient must have a WHO performance status of 2 or less.
Patient must have evidence of an activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation known to confer sensitivity to treatment with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in tumour material. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C7613 | | | Stage IIIB (locally advanced) or Stage IV (metastatic) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Continuing treatment
The treatment must be as monotherapy; AND
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; AND
Patient must not have progressive disease while receiving PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition.
Patient must have evidence of an activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation known to confer sensitivity to treatment with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in tumour material. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 7613 |
Aflibercept | C13336 | P13336 | | Central retinal vein occlusion with macular oedema
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by an ophthalmologist or by an accredited ophthalmology registrar in consultation with an ophthalmologist.
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition for the same eye; AND
The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised therapy for this condition. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 13336 |
| C13337 | P13337 | | Subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation (CNV)
Initial treatment
Must be treated by an ophthalmologist or by an accredited ophthalmology registrar in consultation with an ophthalmologist.
The condition must be due to pathologic myopia (PM); AND
The condition must be diagnosed by optical coherence tomography; OR
The condition must be diagnosed by fluorescein angiography; AND
The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised therapy for this condition.
Authority approval for initial treatment of each eye must be sought.
The first authority application for each eye must be made via the Online PBS Authorities System (real time assessment) or in writing via HPOS form upload or mail and must include:
(1) Details (date, unique identifying number/code or provider number) of the optical coherence tomography or fluorescein angiogram report.
If the application is submitted through HPOS form upload or mail, it must include:
(a) A completed authority prescription form; and
(b) A completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
All reports must be documented in the patient's medical records. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C13384 | P13384 | | Branch retinal vein occlusion with macular oedema
Initial treatment
Must be treated by an ophthalmologist or by an accredited ophthalmology registrar in consultation with an ophthalmologist.
Patient must have visual impairment due to macular oedema secondary to branched retinal vein occlusion (BRVO); AND
Patient must have documented visual impairment defined as a best corrected visual acuity score between 73 and 20 letters based on the early treatment diabetic retinopathy study chart administered at a distance of 4 metres (approximate Snellen equivalent 20/40 to 20/400), in the eye proposed for treatment; AND
The condition must be diagnosed by optical coherence tomography; OR
The condition must be diagnosed by fluorescein angiography; AND
The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised therapy for this condition.
Authority approval for initial treatment of each eye must be sought.
The first authority application for each eye must be made via the Online PBS Authorities System (real time assessment) or in writing via HPOS form upload or mail and must include:
(1) Details (date, unique identifying number/code or provider number) of the optical coherence tomography or fluorescein angiogram report.
If the application is submitted through HPOS form upload or mail, it must include:
(a) A completed authority prescription form; and
(b) A completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
All reports must be documented in the patient's medical records. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C13387 | P13387 | | Branch retinal vein occlusion with macular oedema
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by an ophthalmologist or by an accredited ophthalmology registrar in consultation with an ophthalmologist.
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition for the same eye; AND
The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised therapy for this condition. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 13387 |
| C13388 | P13388 | | Diabetic macular oedema (DMO)
Initial treatment
Must be treated by an ophthalmologist or by an accredited ophthalmology registrar in consultation with an ophthalmologist.
Patient must have visual impairment due to diabetic macular oedema; AND
Patient must have documented visual impairment defined as a best corrected visual acuity score between 78 and 39 letters based on the early treatment diabetic retinopathy study chart administered at a distance of 4 metres (approximate Snellen equivalent 20/32 to 20/160), in the eye proposed for treatment; AND
The condition must be diagnosed by optical coherence tomography; OR
The condition must be diagnosed by fluorescein angiography; AND
The treatment must be as monotherapy; OR
The treatment must be in combination with laser photocoagulation; AND
The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised therapy for this condition.
Authority approval for initial treatment of each eye must be sought.
The first authority application for each eye must be made via the Online PBS Authorities System (real time assessment) or in writing via HPOS form upload or mail and must include:
(1) Details (date, unique identifying number/code or provider number) of the optical coherence tomography or fluorescein angiogram report.
If the application is submitted through HPOS form upload or mail, it must include:
(a) A completed authority prescription form; and
(b) A completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
All reports must be documented in the patient's medical records. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C13390 | P13390 | | Central retinal vein occlusion with macular oedema
Initial treatment
Must be treated by an ophthalmologist or by an accredited ophthalmology registrar in consultation with an ophthalmologist.
Patient must have visual impairment due to macular oedema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO); AND
Patient must have documented visual impairment defined as a best corrected visual acuity score between 73 and 24 letters based on the early treatment diabetic retinopathy study chart administered at a distance of 4 metres (approximate Snellen equivalent 20/40 to 20/320), in the eye proposed for treatment; AND
The condition must be diagnosed by optical coherence tomography; OR
The condition must be diagnosed by fluorescein angiography; AND
The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised therapy for this condition.
Authority approval for initial treatment of each eye must be sought.
The first authority application for each eye must be made via the Online PBS Authorities System (real time assessment) or in writing via HPOS form upload or mail and must include:
(1) Details (date, unique identifying number/code or provider number) of the optical coherence tomography or fluorescein angiogram report.
If the application is submitted through HPOS form upload or mail, it must include:
(a) A completed authority prescription form; and
(b) A completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
All reports must be documented in the patient's medical records. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
| C13392 | P13392 | | Subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation (CNV)
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by an ophthalmologist or by an accredited ophthalmology registrar in consultation with an ophthalmologist.
The condition must be due to pathologic myopia (PM); AND
The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised therapy for this condition; AND
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition for the same eye. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 13392 |
| C13402 | P13402 | | Diabetic macular oedema (DMO)
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by an ophthalmologist or by an accredited ophthalmology registrar in consultation with an ophthalmologist.
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition for the same eye; AND
The treatment must be as monotherapy; OR
The treatment must be in combination with laser photocoagulation; AND
The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised therapy for this condition. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 13402 |
| C13406 | P13406 | | Subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation (CNV)
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by an ophthalmologist or by an accredited ophthalmology registrar in consultation with an ophthalmologist.
The condition must be due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD); AND
The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised therapy for this condition; AND
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition for the same eye. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 13406 |
| C13424 | P13424 | | Subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation (CNV)
Initial treatment
Must be treated by an ophthalmologist or by an accredited ophthalmology registrar in consultation with an ophthalmologist.
The condition must be due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD); AND
The condition must be diagnosed by optical coherence tomography; OR
The condition must be diagnosed by fluorescein angiography; AND
The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised therapy for this condition.
Authority approval for initial treatment of each eye must be sought.
The first authority application for each eye must be made via the Online PBS Authorities System (real time assessment) or in writing via HPOS form upload or mail and must include:
(1) Details (date, unique identifying number/code or provider number) of the optical coherence tomography or fluorescein angiogram report.
If the application is submitted through HPOS form upload or mail, it must include:
(a) A completed authority prescription form; and
(b) A completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).
All reports must be documented in the patient's medical records. | Compliance with Written Authority Required procedures |
Albendazole | C5607 | | | Hydatid disease
The treatment must be in conjunction with surgery; OR
The treatment must be used when a surgical cure cannot be achieved; OR
The treatment must be used when surgery cannot be used. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 5607 |
C5680 | P5680 | | Tapeworm infestation | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 5680 |
C5712 | P5712 | | Strongyloidiasis | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 5712 |
C5797 | P5797 | | Hookworm infestation | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 5797 |
C5817 | P5817 | | Whipworm infestation
Patient must be an Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander person. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 5817 |
Alectinib | C7345 | | | Stage IIIB (locally advanced) or Stage IV (metastatic) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Initial treatment
The treatment must be as monotherapy; AND
The condition must be non-squamous type non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or not otherwise specified type NSCLC; AND
Patient must have a WHO performance status of 2 or less.
Patient must have evidence of an anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement in tumour material, defined as 15% (or greater) positive cells by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) testing. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C7346 | | | Stage IIIB (locally advanced) or Stage IV (metastatic) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Continuing treatment
The treatment must be as monotherapy; AND
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; AND
Patient must not develop disease progression while receiving PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
Alemtuzumab | C6847 | P6847 | | Multiple sclerosis
Continuing treatment
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; AND
Patient must not show continuing progression of disability while on treatment with this drug; AND
Patient must not receive more than one PBS-subsidised treatment per year; AND
The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised disease modifying therapy for this condition; AND
Patient must have demonstrated compliance with, and an ability to tolerate this therapy.
Must be treated by a neurologist. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 6847 |
| C7714 | P7714 | | Multiple sclerosis
Initial treatment
The condition must be diagnosed as clinically definite relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis by magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and/or spinal cord; OR
The condition must be diagnosed as clinically definite relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis by accompanying written certification provided by a radiologist that a magnetic resonance imaging scan is contraindicated because of the risk of physical (not psychological) injury to the patient; AND
The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised disease modifying therapy for this condition; AND
Patient must have experienced at least 2 documented attacks of neurological dysfunction, believed to be due to multiple sclerosis, in the preceding 2 years of commencing a PBS-subsidised disease modifying therapy for this condition; AND
Patient must be ambulatory (without assistance or support).
Must be treated by a neurologist.
Where applicable, the date of the magnetic resonance imaging scan must be recorded in the patient's medical records. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 7714 |
| C9589 | P9589 | | Multiple sclerosis
Continuing treatment
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; AND
Patient must not show continuing progression of disability while on treatment with this drug; AND
Patient must not receive more than one PBS-subsidised treatment per year; AND
The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised disease modifying therapy for this condition; AND
Patient must have demonstrated compliance with, and an ability to tolerate this therapy.
Must be treated by a neurologist. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 9589 |
| C9636 | P9636 | | Multiple sclerosis
Initial treatment
The condition must be diagnosed as clinically definite relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis by magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and/or spinal cord; OR
The condition must be diagnosed as clinically definite relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis by accompanying written certification provided by a radiologist that a magnetic resonance imaging scan is contraindicated because of the risk of physical (not psychological) injury to the patient; AND
The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised disease modifying therapy for this condition; AND
Patient must have experienced at least 2 documented attacks of neurological dysfunction, believed to be due to multiple sclerosis, in the preceding 2 years of commencing a PBS-subsidised disease modifying therapy for this condition; AND
Patient must be ambulatory (without assistance or support).
Must be treated by a neurologist.
Where applicable, the date of the magnetic resonance imaging scan must be recorded in the patient's medical records. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 9636 |
Alendronic acid | C6310 | P6310 | | Osteoporosis
Patient must be aged 70 years or older.
Patient must have a Bone Mineral Density (BMD) T-score of -2.5 or less; AND
Patient must not receive concomitant treatment with any other PBS-subsidised anti-resorptive agent for this condition.
The date, site (femoral neck or lumbar spine) and score of the qualifying BMD measurement must be documented in the patient's medical records when treatment is initiated. | |
C6323 | P6323 | | Corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis
Patient must currently be on long-term (at least 3 months), high-dose (at least 7.5 mg per day prednisolone or equivalent) corticosteroid therapy; AND
Patient must have a Bone Mineral Density (BMD) T-score of -1.5 or less; AND
Patient must not receive concomitant treatment with any other PBS-subsidised anti-resorptive agent for this condition.
The duration and dose of corticosteroid therapy together with the date, site (femoral neck or lumbar spine) and score of the qualifying BMD measurement must be documented in the patient's medical records when treatment is initiated. | |
C6327 | P6327 | | Established osteoporosis
Patient must have fracture due to minimal trauma; AND
Patient must not receive concomitant treatment with any other PBS-subsidised anti-resorptive agent for this condition.
The fracture must have been demonstrated radiologically and the year of plain x-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan must be documented in the patient's medical records when treatment is initiated.
A vertebral fracture is defined as a 20% or greater reduction in height of the anterior or mid portion of a vertebral body relative to the posterior height of that body, or, a 20% or greater reduction in any of these heights compared to the vertebral body above or below the affected vertebral body. | |
| C14242 | P14242 | | Osteoporosis
The condition must be stable for the prescriber to consider the listed maximum quantity of this medicine suitable for this patient.
Patient must be aged 70 years or older.
Patient must have a Bone Mineral Density (BMD) T‑score of ‑2.5 or less; AND
Patient must not receive concomitant treatment with any other PBS‑subsidised anti‑resorptive agent for this condition.
The date, site (femoral neck or lumbar spine) and score of the qualifying BMD measurement must be documented in the patient's medical records when treatment is initiated. | |
| C14291 | P14291 | | Established osteoporosis
The condition must be stable for the prescriber to consider the listed maximum quantity of this medicine suitable for this patient; AND
Patient must have fracture due to minimal trauma; AND
Patient must not receive concomitant treatment with any other PBS‑subsidised anti‑resorptive agent for this condition.
The fracture must have been demonstrated radiologically and the year of plain x‑ray or computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan must be documented in the patient's medical records when treatment is initiated.
A vertebral fracture is defined as a 20% or greater reduction in height of the anterior or mid portion of a vertebral body relative to the posterior height of that body, or, a 20% or greater reduction in any of these heights compared to the vertebral body above or below the affected vertebral body. | |
| C14309 | P14309 | | Corticosteroid‑induced osteoporosis
The condition must be stable for the prescriber to consider the listed maximum quantity of this medicine suitable for this patient; AND
Patient must currently be on long‑term (at least 3 months), high‑dose (at least 7.5 mg per day prednisolone or equivalent) corticosteroid therapy; AND
Patient must have a Bone Mineral Density (BMD) T‑score of ‑1.5 or less; AND
Patient must not receive concomitant treatment with any other PBS‑subsidised anti‑resorptive agent for this condition.
The duration and dose of corticosteroid therapy together with the date, site (femoral neck or lumbar spine) and score of the qualifying BMD measurement must be documented in the patient's medical records when treatment is initiated. | |
Alendronic acid with colecalciferol | C6306 | | | Corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis
Patient must currently be on long-term (at least 3 months), high-dose (at least 7.5 mg per day prednisolone or equivalent) corticosteroid therapy; AND
Patient must have a Bone Mineral Density (BMD) T-score of -1.5 or less; AND
Patient must not receive concomitant treatment with any other PBS-subsidised anti-resorptive agent for this condition.
The duration and dose of corticosteroid therapy together with the date, site (femoral neck or lumbar spine) and score of the qualifying BMD measurement must be documented in the patient's medical records when treatment is initiated. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 6306 |
C6307 | | | Corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis
Patient must currently be on long-term (at least 3 months), high-dose (at least 7.5 mg per day prednisolone or equivalent) corticosteroid therapy; AND
Patient must have a Bone Mineral Density (BMD) T-score of -1.5 or less; AND
Patient must not receive concomitant treatment with any other PBS-subsidised anti-resorptive agent for this condition.
The duration and dose of corticosteroid therapy together with the date, site (femoral neck or lumbar spine) and score of the qualifying BMD measurement must be documented in the patient's medical records when treatment is initiated. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 6307 |
C6315 | | | Established osteoporosis
Patient must have fracture due to minimal trauma; AND
Patient must not receive concomitant treatment with any other PBS-subsidised anti-resorptive agent for this condition.
The fracture must have been demonstrated radiologically and the year of plain x-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan must be documented in the patient's medical records when treatment is initiated.
A vertebral fracture is defined as a 20% or greater reduction in height of the anterior or mid portion of a vertebral body relative to the posterior height of that body, or, a 20% or greater reduction in any of these heights compared to the vertebral body above or below the affected vertebral body. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 6315 |
C6319 | | | Established osteoporosis
Patient must have fracture due to minimal trauma; AND
Patient must not receive concomitant treatment with any other PBS-subsidised anti-resorptive agent for this condition.
The fracture must have been demonstrated radiologically and the year of plain x-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan must be documented in the patient's medical records when treatment is initiated.
A vertebral fracture is defined as a 20% or greater reduction in height of the anterior or mid portion of a vertebral body relative to the posterior height of that body, or, a 20% or greater reduction in any of these heights compared to the vertebral body above or below the affected vertebral body. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 6319 |
C6320 | | | Osteoporosis
Patient must be aged 70 years or older.
Patient must have a Bone Mineral Density (BMD) T-score of -2.5 or less; AND
Patient must not receive concomitant treatment with any other PBS-subsidised anti-resorptive agent for this condition.
The date, site (femoral neck or lumbar spine) and score of the qualifying BMD measurement must be documented in the patient's medical records when treatment is initiated. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 6320 |
C6325 | | | Osteoporosis
Patient must be aged 70 years or older.
Patient must have a Bone Mineral Density (BMD) T-score of -2.5 or less; AND
Patient must not receive concomitant treatment with any other PBS-subsidised anti-resorptive agent for this condition.
The date, site (femoral neck or lumbar spine) and score of the qualifying BMD measurement must be documented in the patient's medical records when treatment is initiated. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 6325 |
Alirocumab | C12008 | | | Familial heterozygous hypercholesterolaemia
Initial treatment
The treatment must be in conjunction with dietary therapy and exercise; AND
The condition must have been confirmed by genetic testing; OR
The condition must have been confirmed by a Dutch Lipid Clinic Network Score of at least 6; AND
Patient must have an LDL cholesterol level in excess of 2.6 millimoles per litre in the presence of symptomatic atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; OR
Patient must have an LDL cholesterol level in excess of 5 millimoles per litre; AND
Patient must have been treated with the maximum recommended dose of atorvastatin (80 mg daily) or rosuvastatin (40 mg daily) according to the TGA-approved Product Information or the maximum tolerated dose of atorvastatin or rosuvastatin for at least 12 consecutive weeks in conjunction with dietary therapy and exercise; OR
Patient must have developed clinically important product-related adverse events necessitating withdrawal of statin treatment to trials of each of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin; OR
Patient must be contraindicated to treatment with a HMG CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) as defined in the TGA-approved Product Information; AND
Patient must have been treated with ezetimibe for at least 12 consecutive weeks in conjunction with a statin (if tolerated), dietary therapy and exercise; AND
Patient must not be receiving concomitant PBS-subsidised treatment with another drug that belongs to the same pharmacological class as this drug, for this PBS indication.
Must be treated by a specialist physician.
Symptomatic atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is defined as:
(i) the presence of symptomatic coronary artery disease (prior myocardial infarction, prior revascularisation procedure, angina associated with demonstrated significant coronary artery disease (50% or greater stenosis in 1 or more coronary arteries on imaging), or positive functional testing (e.g. myocardial perfusion scanning or stress echocardiography); or
(ii) the presence of symptomatic cerebrovascular disease (prior ischaemic stroke, prior revascularisation procedure, or transient ischaemic attack associated with 50% or greater stenosis in 1 or more cerebral arteries on imaging); or
(iii) the presence of symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (prior acute ischaemic event due to atherosclerosis, prior revascularisation procedure, or symptoms of ischaemia with evidence of significant peripheral artery disease (50% or greater stenosis in 1 or more peripheral arteries on imaging)).
The qualifying LDL cholesterol level following at least 12 consecutive weeks of combined treatment with a statin, ezetimibe, dietary therapy and exercise (unless treatment with a statin is contraindicated, or following completion of statin trials as described in these prescriber instructions in the event of clinically important adverse events) must be stated at the time of application, documented in the patient's medical records and must be no more than 8 weeks old.
A clinically important product-related adverse event is defined as follows:
(i) Severe myalgia (muscle symptoms without creatine kinase elevation) which is proven to be temporally associated with statin treatment; or
(ii) Myositis (clinically important creatine kinase elevation, with or without muscle symptoms) demonstrated by results twice the upper limit of normal on a single reading or a rising pattern on consecutive measurements and which is unexplained by other causes; or
(iii) Unexplained, persistent elevations of serum transaminases (greater than 3 times the upper limit of normal) during treatment with a statin.
If treatment with atorvastatin or rosuvastatin results in development of a clinically important product-related adverse event resulting in treatment withdrawal, the patient must be treated with the alternative statin (atorvastatin or rosuvastatin) unless there is a contraindication (e.g. prior rhabdomyolysis) to the alternative statin. This retrial should occur after a washout period of at least 4 weeks, or if the creatine kinase (CK) level is elevated, retrial should not occur until CK has returned to normal.
In the event of a trial of the alternative statin, it is recommended that the patient is started with the minimum dose of statin in conjunction with ezetimibe. The dose of the alternative statin should be increased not more often than every 4 weeks until the recommended or maximum tolerated dose has been reached or target LDL-c has been achieved.
The following must be stated at the time of application and documented in the patient's medical records:
(i) the qualifying Dutch Lipid Clinic Network Score; or
(ii) the result of genetic testing confirming a diagnosis of familial heterozygous hypercholesterolaemia
One of the following must be stated at the time of application and documented in the patient's medical records regarding prior statin treatment:
(i) the patient was treated with atorvastatin 80 mg or rosuvastatin 40 mg or the maximum tolerated dose of either for 12 consecutive weeks; or
(ii) the doses, duration of treatment and details of adverse events experienced with trials with each of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin; or
(iii) the patient is contraindicated to treatment with a statin as defined in the TGA-approved Product Information. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C12010 | | | Non-familial hypercholesterolaemia
Continuing treatment with this drug or switching treatment from another drug within the same pharmacological class
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; OR
Patient must have received PBS-subsidised treatment with a drug from the same pharmacological class as this drug for this PBS indication; AND
The treatment must be in conjunction with dietary therapy and exercise; AND
Patient must not be receiving concomitant PBS-subsidised treatment with another drug that belongs to the same pharmacological class as this drug. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 12010 |
C12011 | | | Familial heterozygous hypercholesterolaemia
Continuing treatment with this drug or switching treatment from another drug within the same pharmacological class
Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; OR
Patient must have received PBS-subsidised treatment with a drug from the same pharmacological class as this drug for this PBS indication; AND
The treatment must be in conjunction with dietary therapy and exercise; AND
Patient must not be receiving concomitant PBS-subsidised treatment with another drug that belongs to the same pharmacological class as this drug, for this PBS indication. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 12011 |
C12054 | | | Non-familial hypercholesterolaemia
Initial treatment
The treatment must be in conjunction with dietary therapy and exercise; AND
Patient must not be receiving concomitant PBS-subsidised treatment with another drug that belongs to the same pharmacological class as this drug; AND
Patient must have symptomatic atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; AND
Patient must have an LDL cholesterol level in excess of 2.6 millimoles per litre prior to commencing treatment with a monoclonal antibody inhibiting proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9); AND
Patient must have atherosclerotic disease in two or more vascular territories (coronary, cerebrovascular or peripheral vascular territories); OR
Patient must have severe multi-vessel coronary heart disease defined as at least 50% stenosis in at least two large vessels; OR
Patient must have had at least two major cardiovascular events (i.e. myocardial infarction, unstable angina, stroke or unplanned revascularisation) in the previous 5 years; OR
Patient must have diabetes mellitus with microalbuminuria; OR
Patient must have diabetes mellitus and be aged 60 years or more; OR
Patient must be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander with diabetes mellitus; OR
Patient must have a Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score for secondary prevention of 4 or higher; AND
Patient must have been treated with the maximum recommended dose of atorvastatin (80 mg daily) or rosuvastatin (40 mg daily) according to the TGA-approved Product Information or the maximum tolerated dose of atorvastatin or rosuvastatin for at least 12 consecutive weeks in conjunction with dietary therapy and exercise; OR
Patient must have developed clinically important product-related adverse events necessitating withdrawal of statin treatment to trials of each of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin; OR
Patient must be contraindicated to treatment with a HMG CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) as defined in the TGA-approved Product Information; AND
Patient must have been treated with ezetimibe for at least 12 consecutive weeks in conjunction with a statin (if tolerated), dietary therapy and exercise.
Must be treated by a specialist physician.
Symptomatic atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is defined as:
(i) the presence of symptomatic coronary artery disease (prior myocardial infarction, prior revascularisation procedure, angina associated with demonstrated significant coronary artery disease (50% or greater stenosis in 1 or more coronary arteries on imaging), or positive functional testing (e.g. myocardial perfusion scanning or stress echocardiography); or
(ii) the presence of symptomatic cerebrovascular disease (prior ischaemic stroke, prior revascularisation procedure, or transient ischaemic attack associated with 50% or greater stenosis in 1 or more cerebral arteries on imaging); or
(iii) the presence of symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (prior acute ischaemic event due to atherosclerosis, prior revascularisation procedure, or symptoms of ischaemia with evidence of significant peripheral artery disease (50% or greater stenosis in 1 or more peripheral arteries on imaging)).
The qualifying LDL cholesterol level following at least 12 consecutive weeks of combined treatment with a statin, ezetimibe, dietary therapy and exercise (unless treatment with a statin is contraindicated, or following completion of statin trials as described in these prescriber instructions in the event of clinically important adverse events) must be stated at the time of application, documented in the patient's medical records and must be no more than 8 weeks old.
A clinically important product-related adverse event is defined as follows:
(i) Severe myalgia (muscle symptoms without creatine kinase elevation) which is proven to be temporally associated with statin treatment; or
(ii) Myositis (clinically important creatine kinase elevation, with or without muscle symptoms) demonstrated by results twice the upper limit of normal on a single reading or a rising pattern on consecutive measurements and which is unexplained by other causes; or
(iii) Unexplained, persistent elevations of serum transaminases (greater than 3 times the upper limit of normal) during treatment with a statin.
If treatment with atorvastatin or rosuvastatin results in development of a clinically important product-related adverse event resulting in treatment withdrawal, the patient must be treated with the alternative statin (atorvastatin or rosuvastatin) unless there is a contraindication (e.g. prior rhabdomyolysis) to the alternative statin. This retrial should occur after a washout period of at least 4 weeks, or if the creatine kinase (CK) level is elevated, retrial should not occur until CK has returned to normal.
In the event of a trial of the alternative statin, it is recommended that the patient is started with the minimum dose of statin in conjunction with ezetimibe. The dose of the alternative statin should be increased not more often than every 4 weeks until the recommended or maximum tolerated dose has been reached or target LDL-c has been achieved.
One of the following must be stated at the time of application and documented in the patient's medical records regarding prior statin treatment:
(i) the patient was treated with atorvastatin 80 mg or rosuvastatin 40 mg or the maximum tolerated dose of either for 12 consecutive weeks; or
(ii) the doses, duration of treatment and details of adverse events experienced with trials with each of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin; or
(iii) the patient is contraindicated to treatment with a statin as defined in the TGA-approved Product Information.
One or more of the following must be stated at the time of application and documented in the patient's medical records regarding the presence of cardiovascular disease or high risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event:
(i) atherosclerotic disease in two or more vascular territories (coronary, cerebrovascular or peripheral vascular territories); or
(ii) severe multi-vessel coronary heart disease defined as at least 50% stenosis in at least two large vessels; or
(iii) history of at least two major cardiovascular events (i.e. myocardial infarction, unstable angina, stroke or unplanned revascularisation) in the previous 5 years; or
(iv) diabetes mellitus with microalbuminuria; or
(v) diabetes mellitus and age 60 years of more; or
(vi) Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander with diabetes mellitus; or
(vii) a Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score for secondary prevention of 4 or higher | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
Allopurinol | | P14238 | | The condition must be stable for the prescriber to consider the listed maximum quantity of this medicine suitable for this patient. | |
Alogliptin | C4349 | | | Diabetes mellitus type 2
The treatment must be in combination with metformin; OR
The treatment must be in combination with a sulfonylurea; AND
Patient must have, or have had, a HbA1c measurement greater than 7% despite treatment with either metformin or a sulfonylurea; OR
Patient must have, or have had, where HbA1c measurement is clinically inappropriate, blood glucose levels greater than 10 mmol per L in more than 20% of tests over a 2 week period despite treatment with either metformin or a sulfonylurea.
The date and level of the qualifying HbA1c measurement must be, or must have been, documented in the patient's medical records at the time treatment with a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor (gliptin), a thiazolidinedione (glitazone), a glucagon-like peptide-1 or a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor is initiated.
The HbA1c must be no more than 4 months old at the time treatment with a gliptin, a glitazone, a glucagon-like peptide-1 or an SGLT2 inhibitor was initiated.
Blood glucose monitoring may be used as an alternative assessment to HbA1c levels in the following circumstances:
(a) A clinical condition with reduced red blood cell survival, including haemolytic anaemias and haemoglobinopathies; and/or
(b) Had red cell transfusion within the previous 3 months.
The results of the blood glucose monitoring, which must be no more than 4 months old at the time of initiation of treatment with a gliptin, a glitazone, a glucagon-like peptide-1 or an SGLT2 inhibitor, must be documented in the patient's medical records.
A patient whose diabetes was previously demonstrated unable to be controlled with metformin or a sulfonylurea does not need to requalify on this criterion before being eligible for PBS-subsidised treatment with alogliptin. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 4349 |
Alogliptin with metformin | C4423 | | | Diabetes mellitus type 2
Patient must have, or have had, a HbA1c measurement greater than 7% despite treatment with metformin; OR
Patient must have, or have had, where HbA1c measurement is clinically inappropriate, blood glucose levels greater than 10 mmol per L in more than 20% of tests over a 2 week period despite treatment with metformin.
The date and level of the qualifying HbA1c measurement must be, or must have been, documented in the patient's medical records at the time treatment with a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor (gliptin), a thiazolidinedione (glitazone), a glucagon-like peptide-1 or a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor is initiated.
The HbA1c must be no more than 4 months old at the time treatment with a gliptin, a glitazone, a glucagon-like peptide-1 or an SGLT2 inhibitor was initiated.
Blood glucose monitoring may be used as an alternative assessment to HbA1c levels in the following circumstances:
(a) A clinical condition with reduced red blood cell survival, including haemolytic anaemias and haemoglobinopathies; and/or
(b) Had red cell transfusion within the previous 3 months.
The results of the blood glucose monitoring, which must be no more than 4 months old at the time of initiation of treatment with a gliptin, a glitazone, a glucagon-like peptide-1 or an SGLT2 inhibitor, must be documented in the patient's medical records.
A patient whose diabetes was previously demonstrated unable to be controlled with metformin does not need to requalify on this criterion before being eligible for PBS-subsidised treatment with this fixed dose combination. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 4423 |
C4427 | | | Diabetes mellitus type 2
Continuing
Patient must have previously received and been stabilised on a PBS-subsidised regimen of oral diabetic medicines which includes metformin and alogliptin. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 4427 |
Alprazolam | C6773 | | | Panic disorder
The treatment must be for use when other treatments have failed; OR
The treatment must be for use when other treatments are inappropriate. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
Amantadine | C5132 | | | Parkinson disease
The condition must not be drug induced. | |
Amifampridine | C12979 | | | Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS)
The condition must not be any of: (i) myasthenia gravis, (ii) Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Must be treated by a prescriber type identifying as at least one of the following: (i) a clinical immunologist, (ii) a neurologist, (iii) a medical practitioner working under the direct supervision of one of these mentioned specialists. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
Amino acid formula supplemented with prebiotics, probiotics and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids | C4305 | P4305 | | Combined intolerance to cows' milk protein, soy protein and protein hydrolysate formulae
Initial treatment for up to 6 months
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux.
Patient must be older than 24 months of age.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4312 | P4312 | | Proven combined immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated allergy to cows' milk protein and soy protein
Initial treatment for up to 6 months
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist, or in consultation with a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist.
Patient must have failed a trial of protein hydrolysate formulae (with or without medium chain triglycerides).
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4323 | P4323 | | Cows' milk protein enteropathy
Initial treatment for up to 6 months
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist, or in consultation with a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux; AND
Patient must be intolerant to both soy protein and protein hydrolysate formulae, as demonstrated when the child has failed to respond to a strict cows' milk protein free and strict soy protein free diet with a protein hydrolysate (with or without medium chain triglycerides) as the principal formula.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4330 | P4330 | | Cows' milk anaphylaxis
Must be treated by a specialist allergist or clinical immunologist, or in consultation with a specialist allergist or clinical immunologist.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
Anaphylaxis is defined as a severe and/or potentially life threatening allergic reaction.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4337 | P4337 | | Cows' milk protein enteropathy
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist, or have an appointment to be assessed by one of these specialists.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux; AND
Patient must be intolerant to both soy protein and protein hydrolysate formulae, as demonstrated when the child has failed to respond to a strict cows' milk protein free and strict soy protein free diet with a protein hydrolysate (with or without medium chain triglycerides) as the principal formula.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4338 | P4338 | | Combined intolerance to cows' milk protein, soy protein and protein hydrolysate formulae
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist at intervals not greater than 12 months.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux.
Patient must be older than 24 months of age.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4339 | P4339 | | Proven combined immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated allergy to cows' milk protein and soy protein
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist.
Patient must have failed a trial of protein hydrolysate formulae (with or without medium chain triglycerides) prior to commencement with initial treatment.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4345 | P4345 | | Severe cows' milk protein enteropathy with failure to thrive
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist, or have been assessed at least once or have an appointment to be assessed by one of these specialists.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux; AND
Patient must have had failure to thrive prior to commencement with initial treatment.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4352 | P4352 | | Severe cows' milk protein enteropathy with failure to thrive
Initial treatment for up to 6 months
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist, or in consultation with a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4368 | P4368 | | Eosinophilic oesophagitis
Initial treatment for up to 3 months
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist, suitably qualified allergist or gastroenterologist.
Patient must require an amino acid based formula as a component of a dietary elimination program.
Patient must be 18 years of age or less.
Treatment with oral steroids should not be commenced during the period of initial treatment.
Eosinophilic oesophagitis is demonstrated by the following criteria:
(i) Chronic symptoms of reflux that persisted despite a 2-month trial of a proton pump inhibitor or chronic dysphagia; and
(ii) A lack of demonstrable anatomic abnormality with the exception of stricture, which can be attributable to eosinophilic oesophagitis; and
(iii) Eosinophilic infiltration of the oesophagus, demonstrated by oesophageal biopsy specimens obtained by endoscopy and where the most densely involved oesophageal biopsy had 20 or more eosinophils in any single 400 x high powered field, along with normal antral and duodenal biopsies.
The date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4414 | P4414 | | Eosinophilic oesophagitis
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist, suitably qualified allergist or gastroenterologist.
Patient must have responded to an initial course of PBS-subsidised treatment.
Patient must be 18 years of age or less.
Response to initial treatment is demonstrated by oesophageal biopsy specimens obtained by endoscopy, where the most densely involved oesophageal biopsy had 5 or less eosinophils in any single 400 x high powered field, along with normal antral and duodenal biopsies. The response criteria will not be deemed to have been met if oral steroids were commenced during initial treatment. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4415 | P4415 | | Severe intestinal malabsorption including short bowel syndrome
Patient must have failed to respond to protein hydrolysate formulae; OR
Patient must have been receiving parenteral nutrition. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
Amino acid formula with carbohydrate, vitamins, minerals and trace elements without phenylalanine | C4295 | | | Phenylketonuria | |
Amino acid formula with carbohydrate without phenylalanine | C4295 | | | Phenylketonuria | |
Amino acid formula with fat, carbohydrate, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements, without methionine and supplemented with docosahexanoic acid | C5534 | | | Pyridoxine non-responsive homocystinuria | |
Amino acid formula with fat, carbohydrate, vitamins, minerals and trace elements without phenylalanine | C5970 | | | Phenylketonuria | |
Amino acid formula with fat, carbohydrate, vitamins, minerals and trace elements without phenylalanine and tyrosine | C5533 | | | Tyrosinaemia | |
Amino acid formula with fat, carbohydrate, vitamins, minerals and trace elements without phenylalanine and tyrosine, and supplemented with docosahexanoic acid | C5533 | | | Tyrosinaemia | |
Amino acid formula with fat, carbohydrate, vitamins, minerals, trace elements and medium chain triglycerides | C4305 | | | Combined intolerance to cows' milk protein, soy protein and protein hydrolysate formulae
Initial treatment for up to 6 months
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux.
Patient must be older than 24 months of age.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4312 | | | Proven combined immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated allergy to cows' milk protein and soy protein
Initial treatment for up to 6 months
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist, or in consultation with a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist.
Patient must have failed a trial of protein hydrolysate formulae (with or without medium chain triglycerides).
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4323 | | | Cows' milk protein enteropathy
Initial treatment for up to 6 months
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist, or in consultation with a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux; AND
Patient must be intolerant to both soy protein and protein hydrolysate formulae, as demonstrated when the child has failed to respond to a strict cows' milk protein free and strict soy protein free diet with a protein hydrolysate (with or without medium chain triglycerides) as the principal formula.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4330 | | | Cows' milk anaphylaxis
Must be treated by a specialist allergist or clinical immunologist, or in consultation with a specialist allergist or clinical immunologist.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
Anaphylaxis is defined as a severe and/or potentially life threatening allergic reaction.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4337 | | | Cows' milk protein enteropathy
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist, or have an appointment to be assessed by one of these specialists.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux; AND
Patient must be intolerant to both soy protein and protein hydrolysate formulae, as demonstrated when the child has failed to respond to a strict cows' milk protein free and strict soy protein free diet with a protein hydrolysate (with or without medium chain triglycerides) as the principal formula.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4338 | | | Combined intolerance to cows' milk protein, soy protein and protein hydrolysate formulae
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist at intervals not greater than 12 months.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux.
Patient must be older than 24 months of age.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4339 | | | Proven combined immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated allergy to cows' milk protein and soy protein
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist.
Patient must have failed a trial of protein hydrolysate formulae (with or without medium chain triglycerides) prior to commencement with initial treatment.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4345 | | | Severe cows' milk protein enteropathy with failure to thrive
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist, or have been assessed at least once or have an appointment to be assessed by one of these specialists.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux; AND
Patient must have had failure to thrive prior to commencement with initial treatment.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4352 | | | Severe cows' milk protein enteropathy with failure to thrive
Initial treatment for up to 6 months
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist, or in consultation with a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4415 | | | Severe intestinal malabsorption including short bowel syndrome
Patient must have failed to respond to protein hydrolysate formulae; OR
Patient must have been receiving parenteral nutrition. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C5945 | | | Eosinophilic oesophagitis
Initial treatment for up to 3 months
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist, suitably qualified allergist or gastroenterologist.
Patient must require an amino acid based formula as a component of a dietary elimination program.
Patient must be 18 years of age or less.
Treatment with oral steroids should not be commenced during the period of initial treatment.
Eosinophilic oesophagitis is demonstrated by the following criteria:
(i) Chronic symptoms of reflux that persisted despite a 2-month trial of a proton pump inhibitor or chronic dysphagia; and
(ii) A lack of demonstrable anatomic abnormality with the exception of stricture, which can be attributable to eosinophilic oesophagitis; and
(iii) Eosinophilic infiltration of the oesophagus, demonstrated by oesophageal biopsy specimens obtained by endoscopy and where the most densely involved oesophageal biopsy had 20 or more eosinophils in any single 400 x high powered field, along with normal antral and duodenal biopsies.
The date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C5974 | | | Eosinophilic oesophagitis
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist, suitably qualified allergist or gastroenterologist.
Patient must have responded to an initial course of PBS-subsidised treatment.
Patient must be 18 years of age or less.
Response to initial treatment is demonstrated by oesophageal biopsy specimens obtained by endoscopy, where the most densely involved oesophageal biopsy had 5 or less eosinophils in any single 400 x high powered field, along with normal antral and duodenal biopsies. The response criteria will not be deemed to have been met if oral steroids were commenced during initial treatment. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
Amino acid formula with fat, carbohydrate without methionine | C5534 | | | Pyridoxine non-responsive homocystinuria | |
Amino acid formula with fat, carbohydrate without phenylalanine | C5970 | | | Phenylketonuria | |
Amino acid formula with fat, carbohydrate without phenylalanine and tyrosine | C5533 | | | Tyrosinaemia | |
Amino acid formula with fat, carbohydrate without valine, leucine and isoleucine | C5571 | | | Maple syrup urine disease | |
Amino acid formula without phenylalanine | C4295 | | | Phenylketonuria | |
Amino acid formula without valine, leucine and isoleucine | C5571 | | | Maple syrup urine disease | |
Amino acid formula with vitamins and minerals, low phenylalanine and supplemented with docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid | C4295 | | | Phenylketonuria | |
Amino acid formula with vitamins and minerals without lysine and low in tryptophan | C5323 | | | Proven glutaric aciduria type 1 | |
C6007 | | | Proven glutaric aciduria type 1 | |
C11482 | | | Pyridoxine dependent epilepsy
Patient must be managed on a low lysine diet for pyridoxine dependent epilepsy; AND
The condition must be treated by or in consultation with a metabolic physician. | |
Amino acid formula with vitamins and minerals without methionine | C5534 | | | Pyridoxine non-responsive homocystinuria | |
C5559 | | | Pyridoxine non-responsive homocystinuria
Patient must be an infant or a very young child. | |
C6038 | | | Pyridoxine non-responsive homocystinuria | |
Amino acid formula with vitamins and minerals without methionine, threonine and valine and low in isoleucine | C5542 | | | Propionic acidaemia | |
C5560 | | | Methylmalonic acidaemia | |
C5986 | | | Propionic acidaemia | |
C6055 | | | Methylmalonic acidaemia | |
Amino acid formula with vitamins and minerals without phenylalanine | C4295 | | | Phenylketonuria | |
C4964 | | | Phenylketonuria | |
Amino acid formula with vitamins and minerals without phenylalanine and tyrosine | C4923 | | | Tyrosinaemia | |
C5533 | | | Tyrosinaemia | |
Amino acid formula with vitamins and minerals without valine, leucine and isoleucine | C4954 | | | Maple syrup urine disease | |
C5571 | | | Maple syrup urine disease | |
Amino acid formula with vitamins and minerals without valine, leucine and isoleucine with fat, carbohydrate and trace elements and supplemented with docosahexanoic acid | C5571 | | | Maple syrup urine disease | |
Amino acid formula with vitamins, minerals and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids without phenylalanine | C4295 | | | Phenylketonuria | |
Amino acids-synthetic, formula | C4305 | P4305 | | Combined intolerance to cows' milk protein, soy protein and protein hydrolysate formulae
Initial treatment for up to 6 months
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux.
Patient must be older than 24 months of age.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4312 | P4312 | | Proven combined immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated allergy to cows' milk protein and soy protein
Initial treatment for up to 6 months
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist, or in consultation with a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist.
Patient must have failed a trial of protein hydrolysate formulae (with or without medium chain triglycerides).
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4323 | P4323 | | Cows' milk protein enteropathy
Initial treatment for up to 6 months
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist, or in consultation with a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux; AND
Patient must be intolerant to both soy protein and protein hydrolysate formulae, as demonstrated when the child has failed to respond to a strict cows' milk protein free and strict soy protein free diet with a protein hydrolysate (with or without medium chain triglycerides) as the principal formula.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4330 | P4330 | | Cows' milk anaphylaxis
Must be treated by a specialist allergist or clinical immunologist, or in consultation with a specialist allergist or clinical immunologist.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
Anaphylaxis is defined as a severe and/or potentially life threatening allergic reaction.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4337 | P4337 | | Cows' milk protein enteropathy
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist, or have an appointment to be assessed by one of these specialists.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux; AND
Patient must be intolerant to both soy protein and protein hydrolysate formulae, as demonstrated when the child has failed to respond to a strict cows' milk protein free and strict soy protein free diet with a protein hydrolysate (with or without medium chain triglycerides) as the principal formula.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4338 | P4338 | | Combined intolerance to cows' milk protein, soy protein and protein hydrolysate formulae
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist at intervals not greater than 12 months.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux.
Patient must be older than 24 months of age.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4339 | P4339 | | Proven combined immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated allergy to cows' milk protein and soy protein
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist.
Patient must have failed a trial of protein hydrolysate formulae (with or without medium chain triglycerides) prior to commencement with initial treatment.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4345 | P4345 | | Severe cows' milk protein enteropathy with failure to thrive
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist, or have been assessed at least once or have an appointment to be assessed by one of these specialists.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux; AND
Patient must have had failure to thrive prior to commencement with initial treatment.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4352 | P4352 | | Severe cows' milk protein enteropathy with failure to thrive
Initial treatment for up to 6 months
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist, or in consultation with a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4368 | P4368 | | Eosinophilic oesophagitis
Initial treatment for up to 3 months
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist, suitably qualified allergist or gastroenterologist.
Patient must require an amino acid based formula as a component of a dietary elimination program.
Patient must be 18 years of age or less.
Treatment with oral steroids should not be commenced during the period of initial treatment.
Eosinophilic oesophagitis is demonstrated by the following criteria:
(i) Chronic symptoms of reflux that persisted despite a 2-month trial of a proton pump inhibitor or chronic dysphagia; and
(ii) A lack of demonstrable anatomic abnormality with the exception of stricture, which can be attributable to eosinophilic oesophagitis; and
(iii) Eosinophilic infiltration of the oesophagus, demonstrated by oesophageal biopsy specimens obtained by endoscopy and where the most densely involved oesophageal biopsy had 20 or more eosinophils in any single 400 x high powered field, along with normal antral and duodenal biopsies.
The date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4414 | P4414 | | Eosinophilic oesophagitis
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist, suitably qualified allergist or gastroenterologist.
Patient must have responded to an initial course of PBS-subsidised treatment.
Patient must be 18 years of age or less.
Response to initial treatment is demonstrated by oesophageal biopsy specimens obtained by endoscopy, where the most densely involved oesophageal biopsy had 5 or less eosinophils in any single 400 x high powered field, along with normal antral and duodenal biopsies. The response criteria will not be deemed to have been met if oral steroids were commenced during initial treatment. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4415 | P4415 | | Severe intestinal malabsorption including short bowel syndrome
Patient must have failed to respond to protein hydrolysate formulae; OR
Patient must have been receiving parenteral nutrition. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
Amino acid synthetic formula supplemented with long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids | C4305 | | | Combined intolerance to cows' milk protein, soy protein and protein hydrolysate formulae
Initial treatment for up to 6 months
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux.
Patient must be older than 24 months of age.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4312 | | | Proven combined immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated allergy to cows' milk protein and soy protein
Initial treatment for up to 6 months
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist, or in consultation with a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist.
Patient must have failed a trial of protein hydrolysate formulae (with or without medium chain triglycerides).
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4323 | | | Cows' milk protein enteropathy
Initial treatment for up to 6 months
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist, or in consultation with a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux; AND
Patient must be intolerant to both soy protein and protein hydrolysate formulae, as demonstrated when the child has failed to respond to a strict cows' milk protein free and strict soy protein free diet with a protein hydrolysate (with or without medium chain triglycerides) as the principal formula.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4330 | | | Cows' milk anaphylaxis
Must be treated by a specialist allergist or clinical immunologist, or in consultation with a specialist allergist or clinical immunologist.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
Anaphylaxis is defined as a severe and/or potentially life threatening allergic reaction.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4337 | | | Cows' milk protein enteropathy
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist, or have an appointment to be assessed by one of these specialists.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux; AND
Patient must be intolerant to both soy protein and protein hydrolysate formulae, as demonstrated when the child has failed to respond to a strict cows' milk protein free and strict soy protein free diet with a protein hydrolysate (with or without medium chain triglycerides) as the principal formula.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4338 | | | Combined intolerance to cows' milk protein, soy protein and protein hydrolysate formulae
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist at intervals not greater than 12 months.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux.
Patient must be older than 24 months of age.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4339 | | | Proven combined immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated allergy to cows' milk protein and soy protein
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist.
Patient must have failed a trial of protein hydrolysate formulae (with or without medium chain triglycerides) prior to commencement with initial treatment.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4345 | | | Severe cows' milk protein enteropathy with failure to thrive
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist, or have been assessed at least once or have an appointment to be assessed by one of these specialists.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux; AND
Patient must have had failure to thrive prior to commencement with initial treatment.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4352 | | | Severe cows' milk protein enteropathy with failure to thrive
Initial treatment for up to 6 months
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist, or in consultation with a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4415 | | | Severe intestinal malabsorption including short bowel syndrome
Patient must have failed to respond to protein hydrolysate formulae; OR
Patient must have been receiving parenteral nutrition. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
Amino acid synthetic formula supplemented with long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and medium chain triglycerides | C4305 | P4305 | | Combined intolerance to cows' milk protein, soy protein and protein hydrolysate formulae
Initial treatment for up to 6 months
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux.
Patient must be older than 24 months of age.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4312 | P4312 | | Proven combined immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated allergy to cows' milk protein and soy protein
Initial treatment for up to 6 months
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist, or in consultation with a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist.
Patient must have failed a trial of protein hydrolysate formulae (with or without medium chain triglycerides).
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4323 | P4323 | | Cows' milk protein enteropathy
Initial treatment for up to 6 months
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist, or in consultation with a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux; AND
Patient must be intolerant to both soy protein and protein hydrolysate formulae, as demonstrated when the child has failed to respond to a strict cows' milk protein free and strict soy protein free diet with a protein hydrolysate (with or without medium chain triglycerides) as the principal formula.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4330 | P4330 | | Cows' milk anaphylaxis
Must be treated by a specialist allergist or clinical immunologist, or in consultation with a specialist allergist or clinical immunologist.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
Anaphylaxis is defined as a severe and/or potentially life threatening allergic reaction.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4337 | P4337 | | Cows' milk protein enteropathy
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist, or have an appointment to be assessed by one of these specialists.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux; AND
Patient must be intolerant to both soy protein and protein hydrolysate formulae, as demonstrated when the child has failed to respond to a strict cows' milk protein free and strict soy protein free diet with a protein hydrolysate (with or without medium chain triglycerides) as the principal formula.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4338 | P4338 | | Combined intolerance to cows' milk protein, soy protein and protein hydrolysate formulae
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist at intervals not greater than 12 months.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux.
Patient must be older than 24 months of age.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4339 | P4339 | | Proven combined immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated allergy to cows' milk protein and soy protein
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist.
Patient must have failed a trial of protein hydrolysate formulae (with or without medium chain triglycerides) prior to commencement with initial treatment.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4345 | P4345 | | Severe cows' milk protein enteropathy with failure to thrive
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist, or have been assessed at least once or have an appointment to be assessed by one of these specialists.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux; AND
Patient must have had failure to thrive prior to commencement with initial treatment.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4352 | P4352 | | Severe cows' milk protein enteropathy with failure to thrive
Initial treatment for up to 6 months
Must be treated by a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist, or in consultation with a specialist allergist, clinical immunologist or specialist paediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist.
The condition must not be isolated infant colic or reflux.
Patient must be up to the age of 24 months.
The name of the specialist and the date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4368 | P4368 | | Eosinophilic oesophagitis
Initial treatment for up to 3 months
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist, suitably qualified allergist or gastroenterologist.
Patient must require an amino acid based formula as a component of a dietary elimination program.
Patient must be 18 years of age or less.
Treatment with oral steroids should not be commenced during the period of initial treatment.
Eosinophilic oesophagitis is demonstrated by the following criteria:
(i) Chronic symptoms of reflux that persisted despite a 2-month trial of a proton pump inhibitor or chronic dysphagia; and
(ii) A lack of demonstrable anatomic abnormality with the exception of stricture, which can be attributable to eosinophilic oesophagitis; and
(iii) Eosinophilic infiltration of the oesophagus, demonstrated by oesophageal biopsy specimens obtained by endoscopy and where the most densely involved oesophageal biopsy had 20 or more eosinophils in any single 400 x high powered field, along with normal antral and duodenal biopsies.
The date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4414 | P4414 | | Eosinophilic oesophagitis
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist, suitably qualified allergist or gastroenterologist.
Patient must have responded to an initial course of PBS-subsidised treatment.
Patient must be 18 years of age or less.
Response to initial treatment is demonstrated by oesophageal biopsy specimens obtained by endoscopy, where the most densely involved oesophageal biopsy had 5 or less eosinophils in any single 400 x high powered field, along with normal antral and duodenal biopsies. The response criteria will not be deemed to have been met if oral steroids were commenced during initial treatment. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C4415 | P4415 | | Severe intestinal malabsorption including short bowel syndrome
Patient must have failed to respond to protein hydrolysate formulae; OR
Patient must have been receiving parenteral nutrition. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C5945 | | | Eosinophilic oesophagitis
Initial treatment for up to 3 months
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist, suitably qualified allergist or gastroenterologist.
Patient must require an amino acid based formula as a component of a dietary elimination program.
Patient must be 18 years of age or less.
Treatment with oral steroids should not be commenced during the period of initial treatment.
Eosinophilic oesophagitis is demonstrated by the following criteria:
(i) Chronic symptoms of reflux that persisted despite a 2-month trial of a proton pump inhibitor or chronic dysphagia; and
(ii) A lack of demonstrable anatomic abnormality with the exception of stricture, which can be attributable to eosinophilic oesophagitis; and
(iii) Eosinophilic infiltration of the oesophagus, demonstrated by oesophageal biopsy specimens obtained by endoscopy and where the most densely involved oesophageal biopsy had 20 or more eosinophils in any single 400 x high powered field, along with normal antral and duodenal biopsies.
The date of birth of the patient must be included in the authority application. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
C5974 | | | Eosinophilic oesophagitis
Continuing treatment
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist, suitably qualified allergist or gastroenterologist.
Patient must have responded to an initial course of PBS-subsidised treatment.
Patient must be 18 years of age or less.
Response to initial treatment is demonstrated by oesophageal biopsy specimens obtained by endoscopy, where the most densely involved oesophageal biopsy had 5 or less eosinophils in any single 400 x high powered field, along with normal antral and duodenal biopsies. The response criteria will not be deemed to have been met if oral steroids were commenced during initial treatment. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
Amiodarone | C5665 | | | Severe cardiac arrhythmias | |
Amisulpride | C4246 | | | Schizophrenia | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 4246 |
Amlodipine | | P14238 | | The condition must be stable for the prescriber to consider the listed maximum quantity of this medicine suitable for this patient. | |
Amlodipine with atorvastatin | | P14238 | | The condition must be stable for the prescriber to consider the listed maximum quantity of this medicine suitable for this patient. | |
Amlodipine with valsartan | C4373 | P4373 | | Hypertension
The treatment must not be for the initiation of anti-hypertensive therapy; AND
The condition must be inadequately controlled with an angiotensin II antagonist; OR
The condition must be inadequately controlled with a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. | |
C14257 | P14257 | | Hypertension
The condition must be stable for the prescriber to consider the listed maximum quantity of this medicine suitable for this patient; AND
The treatment must not be for the initiation of anti‑hypertensive therapy; AND
The condition must be inadequately controlled with an angiotensin II antagonist; OR
The condition must be inadequately controlled with a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. | |
Amlodipine with valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide | C4311 | P4311 | | Hypertension
The treatment must not be for the initiation of anti-hypertensive therapy; AND
The condition must be inadequately controlled with concomitant treatment with two of the following: an angiotensin II antagonist, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker or a thiazide diuretic. | |
C14272 | P14272 | | Hypertension
The condition must be stable for the prescriber to consider the listed maximum quantity of this medicine suitable for this patient; AND
The treatment must not be for the initiation of anti‑hypertensive therapy; AND
The condition must be inadequately controlled with concomitant treatment with two of the following: an angiotensin II antagonist, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker or a thiazide diuretic. | |
Amoxicillin | C5843 | | | Chronic bronchitis
Patient must have acute exacerbations of the condition. | |
| P5863 | CN5863 | Infection suspected or proven to be due to a susceptible organism
The treatment must be for patients who require a liquid formulation and in whom the syrup formulations are unsuitable. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| | P10402 | CN10402 | Infection
Patient must be a male with acute cystitis; OR
Patient must have pyelonephritis; OR
Patient must have a tooth avulsion; OR
Patient must have salmonella enteritis; OR
Patient must have community acquired pneumonia; OR
Patient must have a condition requiring prolonged oral antibiotic therapy. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 10402 |
| | P10404 | CN10404 | Infection
Patient must have a condition requiring prolonged oral antibiotic therapy. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 10404 |
| C10416 | | | Community acquired pneumonia
Patient must have community acquired pneumonia. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 10416 |
Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid | C5832 | P5832 | | Infections where resistance to amoxicillin is proven | |
C5833 | | | Infection where resistance to amoxicillin is suspected | |
C5893 | P5893 | | Infection where resistance to amoxicillin is suspected | |
C5894 | | | Infections where resistance to amoxicillin is proven | |
| C10405 | P10405 | | Infection
Patient must be a male with acute cystitis; OR
Patient must have a condition requiring prolonged oral antibiotic therapy. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 10405 |
| C10413 | P10413 | | Infection
Patient must have periorbital (preseptal) cellulitis; OR
Patient must have postpartum endometritis; OR
Patient must have an exacerbation of bronchiectasis; OR
Patient must have pyelonephritis; OR
Patient must have pneumonia acquired in hospital or aged care; OR
Patient must have a diabetic foot infection; OR
Patient must have a condition requiring prolonged oral antibiotic therapy. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 10413 |
Amylopectin, modified long chain | C5561 | | | Glycogen storage disease | |
Anakinra | C5450 | | | Moderate to severe cryopyrin associated periodic syndromes (CAPS)
Must be treated by a rheumatologist or in consultation with a rheumatologist; OR
Must be treated by a clinical immunologist or in consultation with a clinical immunologist.
A diagnosis of CAPS must be documented in the patient's medical records. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 5450 |
Anastrozole | C5464 | | | Breast cancer
The condition must be hormone receptor positive. | |
Apalutamide | C12895 | | | Castration resistant non-metastatic carcinoma of the prostate
The condition must have evidence of an absence of distant metastases on the most recently performed conventional medical imaging used to evaluate the condition; AND
The condition must be associated with a prostate-specific antigen level that was observed to have at least doubled in value in a time period of within 10 months anytime prior to first commencing treatment with this drug; AND
Patient must have a World Health Organisation (WHO) Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status score no higher than 1 prior to treatment initiation; AND
Patient must not receive PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug if progressive disease develops while on this drug; AND
Patient must only receive subsidy for one novel hormonal drug per lifetime for prostate cancer (regardless of whether a drug was subsidised under a metastatic/non-metastatic indication); OR
Patient must only receive subsidy for a subsequent novel hormonal drug where there has been a severe intolerance to another novel hormonal drug leading to permanent treatment cessation.
Patient must be undergoing concurrent treatment with androgen deprivation therapy.
Prescribing instructions:
Retain the results of all investigative imaging and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level measurements on the patient's medical records - do not submit copies of these with this authority application.
The PSA level doubling time must be based on at least three PSA levels obtained within a time period of 10 months any time prior to first commencing a novel hormonal drug for this condition. The third reading is to demonstrate that the doubling was durable and must be at least 1 week apart from the second reading. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
| C14034 | | | Metastatic castration sensitive carcinoma of the prostate
The treatment must be/have been initiated within 6 months of treatment initiation with androgen deprivation therapy; AND
Patient must only receive subsidy for one novel hormonal drug per lifetime for prostate cancer (regardless of whether a drug was subsidised under a metastatic/non-metastatic indication); OR
Patient must only receive subsidy for a subsequent novel hormonal drug where there has been a severe intolerance to another novel hormonal drug leading to permanent treatment cessation; AND
Patient must not receive PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug if progressive disease develops while on this drug.
Patient must be undergoing concurrent androgen deprivation therapy. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures |
Apixaban | C4098 | P4098 | | Deep vein thrombosis
Initial treatment
Patient must have confirmed acute symptomatic deep vein thrombosis; AND
Patient must not have symptomatic pulmonary embolism. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 4098 |
C4099 | P4099 | | Deep vein thrombosis
Continuing treatment
Patient must have confirmed acute symptomatic deep vein thrombosis; AND
Patient must not have symptomatic pulmonary embolism. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 4099 |
C4132 | P4132 | | Prevention of recurrent venous thromboembolism
Continuing treatment
Patient must have a history of venous thromboembolism. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 4132 |
C4269 | P4269 | | Prevention of stroke or systemic embolism
Patient must have non-valvular atrial fibrillation; AND
Patient must have one or more risk factors for developing stroke or systemic embolism.
Risk factors for developing stroke or systemic ischaemic embolism are:
(i) Prior stroke (ischaemic or unknown type), transient ischaemic attack or non-central nervous system (CNS) systemic embolism;
(ii) age 75 years or older;
(iii) hypertension;
(iv) diabetes mellitus;
(v) heart failure and/or left ventricular ejection fraction 35% or less. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 4269 |
C4359 | P4359 | | Prevention of venous thromboembolism
Patient must be undergoing total hip replacement.
Patient must require up to 10 days supply to complete a course of treatment. | Compliance with Authority Required procedures - Streamlined Authority Code 4359 |
C4381 |
