Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
The official online source for information on your PBS.
This web site contains information on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme including details of the medicines subsidised by the Australian Government as well as information for consumers, carers, health professionals and the pharmaceutical industry. The PBS is part of Australia's broader National Medicines Policy (NMP).
PBS SCHEDULE SEARCH
PBS News Updates
Additional Information: Review of Anticoagulation Therapies in Atrial Fibrillation
1 February 2012
Additional information is now available regarding membership of the reference group assisting the Review of Anticoagulation Therapies in Atrial Fibrillation and further clarification is provided regarding publishing the submissions received. This information is available at Call for Submissions: Review of Anticoagulation Therapies in Atrial Fibrillation.
PBS Website Update - 1 February 2012
1 February 2012
As previously advised, the January 2012 Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits will remain current until 29 February 2012. Regular monthly publication of Schedules will resume from 1 March 2012. More information is available in the PBS News article: Changes to the Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits publication dates.
Agenda for the March 2012 PBAC meeting
25 January 2012
The Agenda for the March 2012 Pharmaceutical Benefit Advisory Committee (PBAC) meeting is now available.
Your comments are welcome whether you are a patient, carer, member of the public, health professional or member of a consumer interest group.
The company applying for subsidy under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme has already provided the PBAC with detailed clinical and economic data in support of the application. You are welcome to provide comments, for consideration by the PBAC, from a personal or group perspective on the impact of the condition addressed in the application.
The Online Comments form and further information can be found at on the Department of Health web site.
PBS Website Update - 1 January 2012
1 January 2012
The Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits was updated on 1 January 2012 and the Summary of Changes can be found on the New, amended and deleted items page. Detailed information regarding additions and alterations of restrictions is now available in the fact sheet, New Listings and Changes 1 January 2012.
The following updates have also been made to the PBS Website:
- Formulary Allocations - 1 January 2012
- Therapeutic Relativity Sheets - 1 January 2012
- Drugs subject to Expanded and Accelerated Price Disclosure - 1 December 2011
- Recommendations made by the PBAC (November 2011)
- Summary of 1 April 2012 Price Reductions for Main, First Transitional and Second Transitional Cycles
- Erratum to Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits - 1 January 2012 (PDF 45KB)
Call for Submissions: Review of Anticoagulation Therapies in Atrial Fibrillation
22 December 2011
The Government has commissioned a Review of Anticoagulation Therapies in Atrial Fibrillation, and is now inviting submissions
to the Review. Further information is available at Call for Submissions: Review of Anticoagulation Therapies in Atrial Fibrillation including the Terms of Reference for the Review.
Summary of 1 April 2012 Price Reductions for Main, First Transitional and Second Transitional Cycles
19 December 2011
Determinations for Price Disclosure price reductions, with a scheduled Reduction Day of 1 April 2012, for cycles: Main, first Transitional and second Transitional have been published to the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments website on Friday 16 December 2011. More information can be found on the Expanded and Accelerated Price Disclosure page.
Recommendations made by the PBAC (November 2011)
16 December 2011
The recommendations made by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) in November 2011 relating to the listing of drugs on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) are now available.
Update on information regarding Price Disclosure Determinations for 1 April 2012 price reductions
14 December 2011
Determinations for Price Disclosure price reductions, with a scheduled Reduction Day of 1 April 2012, for cycles: Main, first Transitional and second Transitional will be published to the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments website on Friday 16 December 2011.
Amendment to the Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy Schedule effective 1 December 2011
9 December 2011
Revised Arrangements for Chemotherapy Drugs & Streamlined Authority Data Capture from 1 December 2011
11 November 2011
The Revised Arrangements for the Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy Drugs (the Revised Arrangements) commence from 1 December 2011. Prescribing and dispensing arrangements for oral chemotherapy medicines remain unchanged. The Revised Arrangements cover infusible and injectable chemotherapy medicines.
The changes will:
- require prescribers to write dose specific prescriptions using milligrams (in most situations) without specific reference to forms and strengths;
- pay approved suppliers/pharmacists for the most cost-efficient combination of vials that makes up the required patient dose; and
- result in changes to the way that chemotherapy drugs are listed in the Schedule.
Also from 1 December 2011, suppliers/pharmacies must identify the Streamlined Authority code on the prescription (if relevant). This is the case for all PBS Authority Required (STREAMLINED) drugs, and not just cancer chemotherapy drugs.
Further information is available in the fact sheet: Revised Arrangements for the Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy Drugs & Streamlined Authority Data Capture.