EmailHospital Circular 27/2009
Date Issued: 24 September 2009
Distribution: Public Hospitals
Subject:Highly Specialised Drugs Program
To advise hospitals of changes to the Highly Specialised Drugs Program, effective 1 October 2009.
We have received recent advice from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing regarding changes to the Highly Specialised Drugs Program, effective 1 October 2009.
DELETED ITEMS
RIBAVIRIN and PEGINTERFERON ALFA-2a
| 6393L | Pack containing 84 tablets ribavirin 200mg and 4 pre-filled syringes peginterferon alfa-2a injection 180mcg | 1 | $1462.37 | Pegasys RBV | RO |
EPOETIN BETA
| 6487K | Injection 30,000 units in 0.6mL pre-filled syringe | 1 | $502.50 | NeoRecormon | RO |
INDANAVIR SULFATE
| 6344X | Capsule 100mg (base) | 180 | $113.75 | Crixivan 100mg | MK |
| 6344X | Capsule 200mg (base) | 360 | $455.00 | Crixivan 200mg | MK |
AMENDED RESTRICTIONS
FILGRASTIM
6291D, 6126K, 6292E and 6127LPEGFILGRASTIM
6363XThe restriction for these items now includes treatment for:
A patient with inoperable Stage III, IV or IVb squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, larynx, oropharynx or hypopharynx receiving neoadjuvant treatment with docetaxel in combination with cisplatin and fluorouracil who has had a prior episode of febrile neutropenia or prolonged severe neutropenia (neutrophil count of less than 1,000 million cells per litre), or for whom there is clinical justification for wishing to continue therapy with the same drug combination, dosage and treatment schedule, and for whom a good response to treatment is anticipated providing chemotherapy can be delivered as planned.
Full prescribing criteria for all items available at the Commonwealth/State Highly Specialised Drugs Program Guidelines website.
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.
Sue Race
Acting Director, Programs
Metropolitan Health & Aged Care Services
