Revised PBS listings for Antibiotic use from 1 April 2020
Page last updated: 20 March 2020
Commencing 1 April 2020, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listings for antibiotics will change.
The PBAC has recommended amending the maximum quantity and repeats for the top five most commonly prescribed PBS-listed antibiotic medications: amoxicillin, amoxicillin with clavulanic acid, cefalexin, doxycycline and roxithromycin.
Maximum quantities of antibiotics will be amended to reflect a full course of antibiotic treatment to be dispensed in one prescription for specific indications. Short courses of antibiotics will continue to be available with nil repeats.
These changes are intended to encourage clinicians to prescribe antibiotic repeats only when clinically indicated, thus reducing inappropriate prescribing and increasing quality use of antibiotic medicines.
