Changes to PBS Authority Required Items

The Society has received information about Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme listings that may be of interest to Members.

Read the update: PBS Authorities - Digital Access to Alzheimer's Disease.

Background Information

There has been an increase in the PBS medicines that can be approved online.

Services Australia has been working with the Department of Health and Aged Care to increase the number of PBS items that can be approved in ‘real time’ using the Online PBS Authorities System (the system). 

Prescribers can submit certain Authority Required ‘Written’ (written) PBS medicines on the schedule using the system. Over time, more written PBS medicines across broader medicine groups will be added to the system for ‘real time’ approval. 

Services Australia will continue to work with the Department of Health and Aged Care to update the relevant PBS listings and will continue to share this information as it becomes available. 

Over the next 2 years, the system’s digital capability to support the transition of Authority Required (Written) medicines for online access will also be improved.

For further information, please see the PBS website.