New Listings and Changes 1 February 2010

ADDITIONS

Additions — Items

9298J Glucose indicator—blood, Test strips, 50 (Bionime Rightest)

9297H Glucose indicator—blood, Test strips, 50 (Bionime Rightest) (Diff. Max. Rpts)
This is an additional agent for use by people with diabetes to test the amount of glucose in their blood. 

Where patients are receiving treatment under a GP management plan or team care arrangement prescribers can use item 9297H to provide up to 11 repeats of glucose indicators, which is equivalent to one year’s supply.
 

9299K Hydromorphone hydrochloride, Tablet 4 mg (modified release) (Jurnista)

5023J Hydromorphone hydrochloride, Tablet 4 mg (modified release) (Jurnista) (Dental)

Listed for the treatment of chronic severe disabling pain not responding to non-narcotic analgesics.  Opioids such as hydromorphone are one of several classes of drugs used to treat symptoms associated with severe chronic pain.

The listing of this lower strength tablet of hydromorphone (8 mg, 16 mg, 32 mg and 64 mg listed 1 May 2009) on the PBS in the General and Dental Schedule will allow improved dose titration in the management of chronic pain. 

ALTERATIONS

Alterations — Restrictions

There are no alterations to restrictions for February 2010.

SECTION 100 HIGHLY SPECIALISED DRUGS PROGRAM

There are no additions or alterations to this program for February 2010.