AMA members may be interested in information relating to new and amended Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listings from 1 March 2021.
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH): Changes will be made to the PBS listings for PAH therapy. A new dual therapy option will be available for patients with WHO functional class III and IV PAH. Prostanoids (epoprostanol and iloprost) will be able to be combined with a PDE-5i (sildenafil and tadalafil).
For initial treatment applications, these items are available for delayed assessment (in-writing only via mail or electronic upload). For second or subsequent continuing treatment applications, immediate assessment is available via telephone or online channels.
Atopic Dematitis: Dupilumab will be listed for the treatment of adults with chronic, moderate to severe atopic dermatitis unresponsive to topical therapies. This item is Authority Required (immediate/real time assessment) available via telephone or online channels.
Complex Gastroeosphageal Reflux Disease (GORD): A new listing will be available for patients with complex GORD who require twice daily treatment with either standard dose or high dose proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Patients will be able to access increased quantities of these items for the treatment of complex GORD. These items are Authority Required (immediate/real time assessment) available via telephone or online channels.
Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS): A new medicine will be listed for the treatment of RRMS. Ozanimod will be available as an Authority Required Streamlined item.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM): The listing of Dulaglutide will be expanded to include combination with insulin and metformin for the treatment of T2DM. This item is Authority Required Streamlined.
Asthma: New fixed dose combination products will be listed for the treatment of asthma. Indacaterol and Momentasone in 3 different combinations will be listed for the maintenance treatment of asthma only. These items are Authority Required Streamlined.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Tiotropium and tiotropium with olodaterol will have new forms of inhalers listed on the PBS. There will be no change to the medicines or the clinical criteria. Tiotropium with olodaterol is Authority Required Streamlined. Tiotropium only is a restricted benefit.
For further information on broader PBS changes, please visit the PBS website.
