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Hospital Circular 28/2009

Date Issued: 26 October 2009

Distribution: Public Hospitals

Subject:Highly Specialised Drugs Program

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

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

ADDED DRUG

LENALIDOMIDE

Note: Special pricing arrangements apply

Public hospital authority required

Initial treatment, as monotherapy or in combination with dexamethasone, of multiple myeloma in a patient who has progressive disease, who has received at least 1 prior therapy (other than thalidomide), who has undergone or is ineligible for a primary stem cell transplant and who has experienced treatment failure after a trial of a least four weeks of thalidomide at a dose of a least 100mg daily.

Continuing treatment, as monotherapy or in combination with dexamethasone, of multiple myeloma in a patient who has previously been issued with an authority prescription for lenalidomide and who does not have progressive disease.                              

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

ADDED ITEMS

APOMORPHINE HYDROCHLORIDE

ATAZANAVIR

RESTRICTION ALTERATIONS

DORNASE ALFA

Now includes – “Treatment of cystic fibrosis in a patient less than 5 years of age”

ETANERCEPT

Removal of authority condition for continuing treatment if treatment started prior  to 1 December 2002.

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

DELETED ITEMS

RIBAVIRIN and PEGINTERFERON ALFA-2a

RIBAVIRIN and PEGINTERFERON ALFA-2a

RIBAVIRIN and PEGINTERFERON ALFA-2a

Items discontinued by manufacturer.

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