EmailHospital Circular 03/2000
Date
Issued: February
2000
Publication: 03/2000
Distribution: Public Hospitals
Subjects: Highly
Specialised Drugs Program
Purpose:The
purpose of this circular is to advise hospitals involved with the Highly Specialised
Drugs Program of a number of changes in the program
We have had recent advice from the Commonwealth on a number changes concerning drugs on the Highly Specialised Drugs Program. Details of the changes are set out below.
1. Changes to LISTINGS
INDINAVIR (CRIXIVAN)
In October 1999 we had advice from the Commonwealth that the following formulation of Indinavir was to be withdrawn from the program:
INDINAVIR SULPHATE (CRIXIVAN)
Capsule 400mg (base)Pack Size: 180Price: $455.00
Code No.: 6202K
We have received notification that Merck Sharp & Dohme, the company marketing Indinavir, have decided to continue listing of this drug form and it will not be deleted.
Effective Subsidy Date:Immediate
2. CHANGE IN CRITERIA
Ribavirin/Interferon Alfa 2b
Change to:
For use in patients with chronic hepatitis C who:
- Have chronic hepatitis evident on liver biopsy, except in patients with coagulation disorders;
- Have a repeatedly positive anti-HCV antibody test;
- Have abnormal ALT levels inconjunction with demonstration of viral infection (HCV RNA positive and/or anti-HCV positive);
- Are not pregnant, not lactating, or are practicing and adequate form of birth control;
- Have no sign of psychiatric illness;
- Would be likely to attend regularly for treatment and follow-up;
- Take no more than 7 standard alcoholic drinks per week;
Treatment of chronic hepatitis C in patients who have relapsed following interferon alfa-2a/2b monotherapy where the monotherapy treatment would have complied with the criteria for PBS subsidy.
Treatment is to cease if plasma HCV RNA remains detectable after 12 weeks therapy.
The treatment course is limited to 24 weeks.
Effective Subsidy Date:1 March 2000
3. CHANGE IN DETERMINATION OF CO-PAYMENTS
We have recently received notification from the Commonwealth regarding the level of co-payment to be deducted from the Gross Expenditure on Highly Specialised Drugs. Until this notification the level of co-payment that has been deducted from hospital's expenditure has been calculated as 1% of the Gross HSD Expenditure. The Commonwealth has informed the Department that it is reducing the rate of co-payment to 0.8% and this will be retrospective and apply to all claims from 1 July 1998. The prior year adjustment from the Commonwealth is currently being calculated based on this figure.
Below are links to all the relevant claim forms for Private Hospitals.
Disodium Pamidronate (Aredia)
clozpriv.pdf
Desferrioxamine
Epoetin alfa - Private Hospitals
Filgrastim (Neupogen)
Interferon Alpha-2A (Roferon A)
Interferon Alpha 2B (Intron A)
Lenograstim (Granocyte)
Cyclosporin - Neoral
Octreotide (Sandostatin)
Effective Subsidy Date:1 July 1998
Please find attached the relevant pages to revise Appendices 2, 3 and 8 of the Commonwealth/State Highly Specialised Drugs Program Guidelines. Please update your guidelines with the attached pages.
Please note Commonwealth/State Highly Specialised Drugs Program Guidelines can be found on the internet either through the Department of Human Services Home page (Acute Health), or directly on http://www.health.vic.gov.au/hsdp/. Any changes notified by hospital circular will be immediately updated in the Guidelines on the internet.
Please note that certified statements of Hospital Audits 1998/99 for the HSD Program were due by 30 September 1999. There are a significant number of hospitals that have not yet submitted these. Could you please ensure that this is done immediately to secure your continued access to the program.
Please send Audit Certifications to:
Jane Evans or Robyn Rennick,
Acute Health, Level 17, 555 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000.
If you have any questions please phone Robyn on 9616 8673.
PLEASE NOTE: WE WISH TO REMIND YOU THAT AS FROM 30 SEPTEMBER, 1999 THE DEPARTMENT CEASED CIRCULATION OF ALL HARD COPY HOSPITAL CIRCULARS. PRIVATE HOSPITALS, PRIVATE DAY PROCEDURE CENTRES AND PUBLIC HOSPITAL PHARMACY DEPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN GRANTED AN EXEMPTION PERIOD. THIS EXEMPTION PERIOD WILL CEASE ON 31 MARCH 2000. FROM 1 APRIL 2000 HOSPITALS MUST ACCESS CIRCULARS VIA THE DIVISION'S WEB SITE
TO BE NOTIFIED ELECTRONICALLY WHEN A HOSPITAL CIRCULAR IS POSTED TO THE DIVISION'S WEB SITE PLEASE E-MAIL YOUR NAME, TITLE, ORGANISATION, WORK ADDRESS AND E-MAIL ADDRESS TO lyn.mcfarlane@dhs.vic.gov.au
DR
C W BROOK
DIRECTOR
