PBS Changes from 1 February 2023

Information relating to the new and amended Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listings implemented on 1st February 2023 can be found below. .

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

Severe Pain
The Department of Health and Aged Care is making changes to the listing of the below-mentioned products on the PBS to allow pharmacists to dispense volumes smaller than a whole bottle at PBS subsidised prices.
Oxycodone (OxyNorm Liquid®) (Oral liquid 1 mg/mL 250 mL) has had an amendment to the reference units, 1 unit (i.e. 1 bottle) will now appear as 250 mL. Oxycodone is listed on the PBS as a restricted benefit.
Morphine (Ordine®) (Oral liquid 2 mg/mL, 5 mg/mL, 10 mg/mL, 200 mL) has had an amendment to the reference units, 1 unit (i.e. 1 bottle) will now appear as 200 mL. Morphine is listed on the PBS as a restricted benefit.
Morphine (Ordine®) (Oral liquid 5 mg/mL, 10 mg/mL, 200 mL) has had an amendment to the reference units for the palliative care listings, 2 units (i.e. 2 bottles) will now appear as 400 mL. Morphine as a palliative care item is listed on the PBS as Authority Required (STREAMLINED).
Further information regarding these changes can be found at pbs.gov.au/info/news

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Methylphenidate MR (Ritalin® LA, Concerta®) has had an amendment to the administrative advice to clarify that patients may only receive PBS-subsidy with one form of long acting methylphenidate at any one time. Authority applications can be made in real time using the Online PBS Authorities system or by telephone.

Methylphenidate IR (Ritalin® 10, Artige®) has had an amendment to the administrative advice to clarify that requests for increased quantities greater than 2 times the listed quantity will not be approved and increases to the listed maximum number of repeats will not be authorised. Authority applications can be made in real time using the Online PBS Authorities system or by telephone.

Osteoporosis
Romosozumab (Evenity®) (Injection 105 mg in 1.17 mL single use pre-filled syringe) has had an amendment to the continuing treatment criteria to allow general practitioners to prescribe continuing treatment. Authority applications for initial and continuing treatments can be made in real time using the Online PBS Authorities system or by telephone.

Asthma
Beclometasone with formoterol (Fostair®) (Pressurised inhalation containing beclometasone dipropionate 200 micrograms with formoterol fumarate dihydrate 6 micrograms per dose, 120 doses) is now listed on the PBS for the treatment of asthma. Authority applications are streamlined.

Parkinson’s disease
Opicapone (Ongentys®) (Capsule 50 mg) is now listed on the PBS for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease as a restricted benefit.

Severe dry eye syndrome, including Sjogren’s syndrome
Polyethylene glycol 400 with propylene glycol (Optix®) (Eye drops 4 mg-3 mg per mL, 15 mL) is now listed on the PBS for the treatment of severe dry eye syndrome, including Sjogren’s syndrome, as a restricted benefit.

SARS-CoV-2 infection
Molnupiravir (Lagevrio®), nirmatrelvir + ritonavir (Paxlovid®) has had an amendment to the restriction for patients who are moderately to severely immunocompromised to include patients who have previously been hospitalised due to COVID-19 infection. Authority applications are streamlined.

Multiple myeloma and myelodysplastic syndrome
Lenalidomide (Revlimid®, Lenalide®, Lenalidomide Sandoz®, Lenalidomide Dr Reddy’s® and Cipla Lenalidomide®) (25 mg, 15 mg, 10 mg, 5 mg, 14 and 21 capsules) has had an amendment to the administrative advice for the treatment of multiple myeloma and myelodysplastic syndrome. Authority applications for initial treatment can be made either in real time using the Online PBS Authorities system or in writing. Continuing treatment applications can be made either in real time using the Online PBS Authorities system or by telephone.

Chronic severe atopic dermatitis
Upadacitinib (Rinvoq®) (15 mg modified release tablet, 30 mg modified release tablet) has had an amendment to remove the grandfather restriction for the treatment of chronic severe atopic dermatitis.

Mantle cell lymphoma
Acalabrutinib (Calquence®) (100 mg capsule 56) has had an amendment to remove the grandfather restriction for the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma.

1 February 2023 delisted PBS listings 

Diabetes mellitus type 2
Exenatide (Byetta® 10 microgram, Byetta® 5 microgram) has been delisted from the PBS with no “Supply Only” arrangement.

Selecting the correct restriction in the Online PBS Authorities system

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

For more information, visit the Summary of Changes page on the PBS website.

Access the Frequently Asked Questions for the Online PBS Authorities System.