EmailHospital 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
| 9642L | Capsule 5mg | 21 | $5,392.38 | Revlimid | CJ |
| 9643M | Capsule 10mg | 21 | $5,643.33 | Revlimid | CJ |
| 9644N | Capsule 15mg | 21 | $6,581.61 | Revlimid | CJ |
| 9645P | Capsule 25mg | 21 | $6,934.20 | Revlimid | CJ |
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
| 96478R | Solution for s/c infusion 50mg in 10mL pre-filled syringe | 5 | $194.65 | Apomine PFS | HH |
ATAZANAVIR
| 9646Q | Capsule 100mg (as sulphate) | 60 | $347.94 | Reyataz | BQ |
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 items available at the Commonwealth/State Highly Specialised Drugs Program Guidelines website.
DELETED ITEMS
RIBAVIRIN and PEGINTERFERON ALFA-2a
| 6389G | Pack containing 84 tablets ribavirin 200mg and 4 pre-filled syringes peginterferon alfa-2a injection 135mcg | Pegasys RBV | RO |
RIBAVIRIN and PEGINTERFERON ALFA-2a
| 6390H | Pack containing 112 tablets ribavirin 200mg and 4 pre-filled syringes peginterferon alfa-2a injection 135mcg | Pegasys RBV | RO |
RIBAVIRIN and PEGINTERFERON ALFA-2a
| 6391J | Pack containing 140 tablets ribavirin 200mg and 4 pre-filled syringes peginterferon alfa-2a injection 135mcg | Pegasys RBV | RO |
Items discontinued by manufacturer.
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.
Geoff Lavender
Director, Programs
Metropolitan Health & Aged Care Services
