EmailHospital Circular 20/2002
Date Issued: 9 July 2002
Publication: 20/2002
Distribution: Public Hospitals
Subject: Highly Specialised Drugs Program
Purpose: To advise hospitals involved of a change to the Highly Specialised Drugs Program.
We have had recent advice from the Commonwealth of changes to the Highly Specialised Drugs Program, effective 1 August 2002.
1. ADD ITEM
Peginterferon alfa-2b (PEG-Intron)
| 6346B | Powder for injection 50 micrograms vial with diluent ampoule | 4 | $920.00 | PEG-Intron |
| 6347C | Powder for injection 80 micrograms vial with diluent ampoule | 4 | $1472.00 | PEG-Intron |
| 6348D | Powder for injection 100 micrograms vial with diluent ampoule | 4 | $1840.00 | PEG-Intron |
| 6349E | Powder for injection 120 micrograms vial with diluent ampoule | 4 | $2208.00 | PEG-Intron |
| 6350F | Powder for injection 150 micrograms vial with diluent ampoule | 4 | $2760.00 | PEG-Intron |
CAUTION:
Treatment with peginterferon alfa has been associated with depression and suicide in some patients. Patients with a history of suicidal ideation or depressive illness should be warned of the risks. Psychiatric status during therapy should be monitored.
Chronic hepatitis C in patients 18 years or older who have compensated liver disease and who have received no prior interferon therapy and have a contraindication to ribavirin, who satisfy all of the following criteria:
- Histological evidence of chronic hepatitis on liver biopsy (except in patients with coagulation disorders considered severe enough to prevent liver biopsy);
- Abnormal serum ALT levels in conjunction with documented chronic hepatitis C infection (repeatedly anti-HCV positive and/or HCV RNA positive);
- No other forms of chronic liver disease;
- Female patients of child-bearing age are not pregnant, not breast-feeding, and are using an effective form of contraception.
The treatment course is limited to 0.5 to 1 microgram per kilogram weekly for up to 52 weeks.
Treatment is to cease if plasma HCV RNA remains detectable by an HCV RNA qualitative assay after 24 weeks of therapy.
NOTE:
Hospitals should adhere to the National Health and Medical Research Council's Taskforce report on hepatitis C regarding the facility requirements for the selection of treatment centres.
EFFECTIVE: 1 August 2002
2. ADD BRAND
Clozapine (Clozapine Synthon)
| 6101D | Tablet 25 mg | 100 | $72.00 | Clozapine Synthon |
| 6102E | Tablet 100 mg | 100 | $270.00 | Clozapine Synthon |
Treatment of schizophrenia in patients who are non-responsive to, or intolerant of, other neuroleptic agents.
EFFECTIVE: 1 August 2002
3. ADD PACKS
Cyclosporin (Neoral)
| 6352H | Capsule 25 mg | 30 | $45.01 | Neoral 25 |
| 6353J | Capsule 50 mg | 30 | $90.00 | Neoral 50 |
| 6354K | Capsule 100 mg | 30 | $180.00 | Neoral 100 |
For use by organ or tissue transplant recipients;
Treatment by dermatologists or clinical immunologists of patients with severe atopic dermatitis for whom other systemic therapies are ineffective or inappropriate;
Treatment by dermatologists of patients with severe psoriasis for whom other systemic therapies are ineffective or inappropriate and in whom the disease has caused significant interference with quality of life;
Treatment by nephrologists of nephrotic syndrome in patients in whom steroids and cytostatic drugs have failed or are not tolerated or are considered inappropriate and in whom renal function is unimpaired;
Treatment by rheumatologists or clinical immunologists of patients with severe active rheumatoid arthritis for whom classical slow-acting anti-rheumatic agents (including methotrexate) are ineffective or inappropriate.
EFFECTIVE: 1 August 2002
4. DELETE
Didanosine (Videx)
| 6115W | Tablet 25 mg (chewable/dispersible) | 60 | $39.58 | Videx |
| 6117Y | Tablet 100 mg (chewable/dispersible) | 60 | $158.31 | Videx |
Treatment of HIV infection in patients with CD4 cell counts of less than 500 per cubic millimetre, or viral load of greater than 10,000 copies per mL.
This item is being discontinued by manufacturer.
Epoetin alfa (Eprex)
| 6294G | Injection 40,000 units in 1 mL vial | 1 | $60.00 | Eprex 40,000 |
For the treatment of anaemia requiring transfusion, associated with chronic renal failure.
This item is being discontinued by manufacturer (replaced by pre-filled syringe).
Nelfinavir mesylate (Viracept)
| 6230X | Tablet 250 mg (base) | 270 | $455.00 | Viracept |
Treatment of HIV infection in patients with CD4 cell counts of less than 500 per cubic millimetre, or viral load of greater than 10,000 copies per mL.
This item is being discontinued by manufacturer (replaced by pack of 300).
EFFECTIVE: 1 August 2002
Any changes notified by hospital circular will be updated in the Guidelines on the internet and the relevant claim forms amended. Pharmacists are encouraged to check Victoria's Highly Specialised Drugs Program website to ensure they are using the correct claim forms or to request updated copies by fax on 03-9616 7764.
Mr Peter Donnelly
Director
Funding and Financial Policy
Metropolitan Health and Aged Care Services
