EmailHospital Circular 13/1999
Date
Issued:
8 December 1999
Publication: 13/1999
Contact: Head Office
Distribution: Public Hospitals
Subjects:
Highly Specialised Drugs Program
Purpose:
To provide information on changes to the Highly Specialised Drugs
Program
We have had recent advice from the Commonwealth on a number changes concerning drugs on the Highly Specialised Drugs Program. Details of the changes are set out below.
1. ADDITION TO INDICATIONS
Ganciclovir (Cymevene)
The following has been added to the list of indications:
Primary prophylaxis of cytomegalovirus disease in liver, heart and bone marrow transplant patients at risk of cytomegalovirus disease. (oral and infused formulations only)
EFFECTIVE Subsidy Date: 1 January 2000
Mycophenolate Mofetil (Cell Cept)
The following has been added to the list of indications:
Prophylaxis of cardiac allograft rejection.
EFFECTIVE Subsidy Date: 1 January 2000
Tacrolimus (Prograf)
The following has been added to the list of indications:
For the prevention and treatment of rejection in renal transplant recipients.
EFFECTIVE Subsidy Date: 1 January 2000
2. AMENDMENT TO RESTRICTIONS
Ribavirin and interferon alfa-2b (Rebetron Combination Therapy)
Change:
"Treatment of chronic hepatitis C in patients who have relapsed following interferon alfa-2a/2b monotherapy supplied as a Highly Specialised Drug under these arrangements"
To:
"Treatment of chronic hepatitis C in patients who have relapsed following interferon alfa-2a/2b monotherapy where the monotherapy treatment would have complied with the criteria for PBS subsidy"
EFFECTIVE SUBSIDY DATE: 1 January 2000
3. CHANGE IN PRICES
Ganciclovir (Cymevene)
Pack Size:
Capsule 250mg, 84 Price: $524.00 Code No.:
6159E
Powder
for IV infusion 500mg Price: $56.00 Code No.:
6136Y
EFFECTIVE SUBSIDY DATE: 1 January 2000
Mycophenolate Mofetil (Cell Cept)
Pack
Size: Capsule 250mg, 300 Price: $534.30 Code
No.: 6280R
Tablet
500mg, 150 Price: $534.30 Code No.: 6209T
EFFECTIVE SUBSIDY DATE: 1 January 2000
Tacrolimus (Prograf)
Pack
Size: Capsule 1mg, 100 Price: $385.00 Code
No.: 6216E
Capsule
5mg, 50 Price: $962.50 Code No.: 6217E
EFFECTIVE SUBSIDY DATE: 1 January 2000
4. ADVANCE NOTICE - DELETION
At the request of the manufacturer the following drugs are to be deleted from the Highly Specialised Drugs Program:
Epoetin Alfa (Eprex)
Injection 1000 units in 0.5mL vial Pack size: 6 Code No.: 6200H
Injection 2000 units in 1 mL vial Pack size: 6 Code No.: 6121E
Injection 4000 units in 1 mL vial Pack size: 6 Code No.: 6122F
Injection 10000 units in 1mL vial Pack size: 6 Code No.: 6123G
EFFECTIVE DATE: 1 February 2000
Please find attached the relevant pages to revise Appendices 2, 3 and 8 of the Commonwealth/State Highly Specialised Drugs Program Guidelines. Please update your guidelines with the attached pages. (Not available in electronic format)
Please note Commonwealth/State Highly Specialised Drugs Program Guidelines can be found on the internet either through the Department of Human Services Home page (Acute Health), or directly on the Commonwealth/State Highly Specialised Drugs Program Guidelines website. Any changes notified by hospital circular will be immediately updated in the Guidelines on the internet.
Provision of estimates of expenditure on Highly Specialised Drugs is part of the hospital obligations as stated in the Commonwealth / State Highly Specialised Drugs Program Guidelines (see Funding and Reporting Arrangements). The estimates for the financial year 2000/2001 are due on 21 February 2000 and should be forwarded to:
Jane Evans or Robyn Rennick
Level 17
555 Collins Street
Melbourne
VIC 3095Please note that certified statements of Hospital Audits 1998/99 for the HSD Program were due by 30 September 1999. There are a significant number of hospitals that have not yet submitted these. Could you please ensure that this is done immediately to secure your continued access to the program.
Please send Audit Certifications to:
Jane Evans or Robyn Rennick, Acute Health, Level 17, 555 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000. If you have any questions please phone Robyn on 9616 8673.
DR
C W BROOK
DIRECTOR
