EmailHospital Circular 07/2008
Date Issued: 1 March 2008
Subject: Highly Specialised Drugs Program
Purpose: To advise hospitals of changes to the Highly Specialised Drugs Program, effective 1 March 2008
We have had recent advice from the Commonwealth Government of changes to the Highly Specialised Drugs Program, effective 1 March 2008.
Added items
Abatacept |
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9621J |
Powder for IV Infusion 250mg |
1 | Orencia | $504.43 | BQ |
Ibandronate Sodium |
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| 9619G | Concentrated injection for IV infusion equivalent to 6mg ibandronic acid in 6ml | 1 | Bondronat | $341.36 | MX |
| Sevelamer | |||||
| 9620H | 800mg Tablet | 180 | Renegel | $310.00 | GZ |
Amended restrictions
Entecavir 0.5mg Tablet
Interferon Alfa-2a
Interferon Alfa-2b
Lamivudine
Peginterferon Alfa-2a
Treatment of chronic Hepatitis B criteria now includes Elevated HBV DNA levels
Adefovir Dipivoxil
Treatment of chronic Hepatitis B criteria now includes Repeatedly elevated HBV DNA levels one log greater than the nadir value or failure to achieve a one log reduction in HBV DNA within 3 months, whilst on previous antihepadnaviral therapy except in patients with evidence of poor compliance.
Patients may receive treatment in combination with lamivudine but not with other PBS-subsidised antihepadnaviral therapy.
Entecavir 1mg Tablet
Treatment of chronic Hepatitis B criteria now includes Repeatedly elevated HBV DNA levels one log greater than the nadir value or failure to achieve a one log reduction in HBV DNA within 3 months, whilst on previous antihepadnaviral therapy except in patients with evidence of poor compliance.
Rituximab
Infliximab
Treatment of adult patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis now recognises the listing of Abatacept
Infliximab
Treatment of psoriatic arthritis (initial 1) now includes leflunomide as an alternative to an inadequate response with sulfasalazine.
Filgrastim
Includes use in the treatment of breast cancer (adjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel in combination with an anthracycline and cyclophosphamide)
Use in the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is now for (aggressive grades; or low grade receiving an anthracycline-containing regimen)
Pegfilgrastim
Use in the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is now for (aggressive grades; or low grade receiving an anthracycline-containing regimen)
Full prescribing criteria for all items available at the Commonwealth/State Highly Specialised Drugs Program Guidelines website.
Deleted item
Efavirenz |
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6283Q |
200mg Capsule | 90 | Stocrin | MK | |
Item discontinued by manufacturer |
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Changes notified by hospital circular will be updated in the Guidelines on the Commonwealth/State Highly Specialised Drugs Program Guidelines website and the claim form amended.
Geoff Lavender
Director, Programs
Metropolitan Health & Aged Care Services
