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Hospital Circular 24/2009

Date Issued: 1 September 2009

Distribution: Public Hospitals

Subject: Highly Specialised Drugs Program

To advise hospitals of changes to the Highly Specialised Drugs Program, effective 1 September 2009.

We have received recent advice from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing regarding changes to the Highly Specialised Drugs Program, effective 1 September 2009.

AMENDED RESTRICTION

THALIDOMIDE
6469L          Capsule 50mg            28                    $420.00                      Thalidomide        CJ
                                                                                                                         Pharmion

The amended restriction is as follows:

CAUTION:
Thalidomide is a category X drug and must not be given to a pregnant woman. Pregnancy in female patients or in the partners of male patients must be avoided during treatment and for 1 month after the cessation of treatment.

Multiple myeloma.

NOTE:
Patients receiving thalidomide under the PBS listing must be registered in the Thalidomide Risk Management Program

Full prescribing criteria for all listed items including the above is available at: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/hsdp/app2.htm

Changes notified by hospital circular will be updated in the Guidelines on the internet and the relevant claim forms amended. 

WEB SITE ADDRESS:      www.health.vic.gov.au/hsdp

Geoff Lavender
Director, Programs
Metropolitan Health & Aged Care Services