Safety Net early supply rule

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme - Safety Net early supply rule

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Safety Net plays an important role in keeping medicines affordable. It is an effective way of helping to limit out-of-pocket expenses for people who need a large number of medicines. The Safety Net early supply rule means that for some PBS medicines, a repeat supply of the same medication within less than a specified interval will fall outside the PBS Safety Net

Safety Net early supply rule - List of medicines

The list of medicines comprises pharmaceutical benefits to which the Safety Net early supply rule applies if:

  • supplied within 20 days of a previous supply of a prescription, usually for a month’s supply, of the same medicine or any brand of an equivalent medicine to the same person under ‘immediate supply’ provisions
  • supplied within 50 days of a previous supply of a prescription with a 60-day maximum dispensed quantity (60-day prescription) of the same medicine or any brand of an equivalent medicine to the same person under ‘immediate supply’ provisions.

The legal basis for the list of medicines is the National Health (Pharmaceutical benefits – early supply) Instrument 2015 made under subsection 84AAA(2) of the National Health Act 1953.

The purpose of the list below is to provide an easy-to-use compilation of the PBS medicines to which the Safety Net early supply rule applies, including the currently-listed brands of those medicines. This version of the list is not a legal document and, in cases of discrepancy, the National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits - early supply) Instrument will be the source document for specifying which medicines are subject to Safety Net early supply arrangements.

Drug – active ingredient name Drug form and strength Brand name(s) Listed maximum quantity Listed maximum repeats Interval Days
MEDROXYPROGESTERONE medroxyprogesterone acetate 150 mg/mL injection, 1 mL vial Depo-Provera, Depo-Ralovera 1 1 20
medroxyprogesterone acetate 10 mg tablet, 30 Provera, Ralovera 30 2 20
medroxyprogesterone acetate 10 mg tablet, 30 Provera, Ralovera 60 2 50
medroxyprogesterone acetate 10 mg tablet, 100 Provera, Ralovera 100 2 20
medroxyprogesterone acetate 10 mg tablet, 100 Provera, Ralovera 200 2 50
medroxyprogesterone acetate 100 mg tablet, 100 Provera 200 2 50
medroxyprogesterone acetate 200 mg tablet, 60 Provera 120 2 50
medroxyprogesterone acetate 250 mg tablet, 60 Provera 120 2 50
medroxyprogesterone acetate 5 mg tablet, 56 Provera, Ralovera 56 2 20
medroxyprogesterone acetate 5 mg tablet, 56 Provera, Ralovera 112 2 50
medroxyprogesterone acetate 500 mg tablet, 30 Provera 60 2 50
MELOXICAM meloxicam 15 mg capsule, 30 APO-Meloxicam, MELOBIC, Meloxicam Sandoz, Mobic, Movalis 15, Moxicam 30 3 20
meloxicam 15 mg tablet, 30 APX-Meloxicam, CIPLA MELOXICAM 15, MELOBIC, Meloxibell, Meloxicam Sandoz, Meloxicam Viatris, Mobic, Movalis 15, Moxicam 15, Pharmacor Meloxicam 15 30 3 20
MEMANTINE memantine hydrochloride 10 mg tablet, 56 APO-Memantine, Ebixa, Memantine generichealth, Memanxa 56 5 20
memantine hydrochloride 20 mg tablet, 28 APO-Memantine, Ebixa, Memantine generichealth 28 5 20
MESALAZINE mesalazine 1.5 g modified release granules, 60 sachets Salofalk 60 5 20
mesalazine 1.5 g modified release granules, 60 sachets Salofalk 120 5 50
mesalazine 500 mg modified release granules, 100 sachets Salofalk 200 5 20
mesalazine 500 mg modified release granules, 100 sachets Salofalk 400 5 50
mesalazine 2 g modified release granules, 60 sachets Pentasa 60 5 20
mesalazine 2 g modified release granules, 60 sachets Pentasa 120 5 50
mesalazine 1 g modified release tablet, 60 Pentasa 120 5 20
mesalazine 1 g modified release tablet, 60 Pentasa 240 5 50
mesalazine 1.2 g modified release tablet, 60 Mesalazine 1.2 TAKEDA, Mezavant 120 5 20
mesalazine 1.2 g modified release tablet, 60 Mesalazine 1.2 TAKEDA, Mezavant 240 5 50
mesalazine 250 mg enteric tablet, 100 Mesasal 100 5 20
mesalazine 250 mg enteric tablet, 100 Mesasal 200 5 50
mesalazine 500 mg enteric tablet, 100 Salofalk 200 5 20
mesalazine 500 mg enteric tablet, 100 Salofalk 400 5 50
mesalazine 500 mg modified release tablet, 100 Pentasa 200 5 20
mesalazine 500 mg modified release tablet, 100 Pentasa 400 5 50
mesalazine 1.6 g enteric tablet, 60 Asacol 120 4 20
mesalazine 1.6 g enteric tablet, 60 Asacol 240 4 50
mesalazine 1 g modified release granules, 100 sachets Pentasa, Salofalk 100 5 20
mesalazine 1 g modified release granules, 100 sachets Pentasa, Salofalk 200 5 50
mesalazine 4 g modified release granules, 30 sachets Pentasa 30 5 20
mesalazine 4 g modified release granules, 30 sachets Pentasa 60 5 50
mesalazine 3 g modified release granules, 30 sachets Salofalk 30 5 20
mesalazine 3 g modified release granules, 30 sachets Salofalk 60 5 50
mesalazine 800 mg enteric tablet, 90 Asacol 90 5 20
mesalazine 800 mg enteric tablet, 90 Asacol 180 5 50
mesalazine 1 g enteric tablet, 60 Salofalk 120 5 20
mesalazine 1 g enteric tablet, 60 Salofalk 240 5 50
mesalazine 1.2 g modified release tablet, 120 MESALZ 120 5 20
mesalazine 1.2 g modified release tablet, 120 MESALZ 240 5 50
METFORMIN metformin hydrochloride 1 g tablet, 90 APX-Metformin, Blooms The Chemist Metformin 1000 mg, Diabex 1000, Diaformin 1000, Formet 1000, Glucobete 1000, Metformin GH, Metformin Sandoz 90 5 20
metformin hydrochloride 1 g tablet, 90 APX-Metformin, Blooms The Chemist Metformin 1000 mg, Diabex 1000, Diaformin 1000, Formet 1000, Glucobete 1000, Metformin GH, Metformin Sandoz 180 5 50
metformin hydrochloride 1 g modified release tablet, 60 APO-Metformin XR 1000, Blooms the Chemist Metformin XR 1000, Diabex XR 1000, Diaformin XR 1000, METEX XR, Pharmacor Metformin XR 60 5 20
metformin hydrochloride 1 g modified release tablet, 60 APO-Metformin XR 1000, Blooms the Chemist Metformin XR 1000, Diabex XR 1000, Diaformin XR 1000, METEX XR, Pharmacor Metformin XR 120 5 50
metformin hydrochloride 500 mg tablet, 100 APX-Metformin, Blooms The Chemist Metformin 500 mg, Diabex, Diaformin, FORMET 500, Glucobete 500, Metformin GH, Metformin Sandoz 100 5 20
metformin hydrochloride 500 mg tablet, 100 APX-Metformin, Blooms The Chemist Metformin 500 mg, Diabex, Diaformin, FORMET 500, Glucobete 500, Metformin GH, Metformin Sandoz 200 5 50
metformin hydrochloride 500 mg modified release tablet, 120 APO-Metformin XR 500, Blooms the Chemist Metformin XR 500, Diabex XR 500, Metex XR, Pharmacor Metformin XR 120 5 20
metformin hydrochloride 500 mg modified release tablet, 120 APO-Metformin XR 500, Blooms the Chemist Metformin XR 500, Diabex XR 500, Metex XR, Pharmacor Metformin XR 240 5 50
metformin hydrochloride 850 mg tablet, 60 APX-Metformin, Blooms The Chemist Metformin 850 mg, Diabex 850, Diaformin 850, FORMET 850, Glucobete 850, Metformin Sandoz 60 5 20
metformin hydrochloride 850 mg tablet, 60 APX-Metformin, Blooms The Chemist Metformin 850 mg, Diabex 850, Diaformin 850, FORMET 850, Glucobete 850, Metformin Sandoz 120 5 50
METHADONE methadone hydrochloride 5 mg/mL oral liquid, 1 L Aspen Methadone Syrup, Biodone Forte 840 2 20
methadone hydrochloride 5 mg/mL oral liquid, 200 mL Aspen Methadone Syrup, Biodone Forte 840 2 20
METHENAMINE HIPPURATE methenamine hippurate 1 g tablet, 100 Hiprex, Uramet 200 5 50
METHOTREXATE methotrexate 50 mg/2 mL injection, 5 x 2 mL vials DBL Methotrexate 10 5 50
methotrexate 7.5 mg/0.15 mL injection, 0.15 mL syringe Trexject 4 5 20
methotrexate 10 mg/0.2 mL injection, 0.2 mL syringe Trexject 4 5 20
methotrexate 15 mg/0.3 mL injection, 0.3 mL syringe Trexject 4 5 20
methotrexate 20 mg/0.4 mL injection, 0.4 mL syringe Trexject 4 5 20
methotrexate 25 mg/0.5 mL injection, 0.5 mL syringe Trexject 4 5 20
METHYLDOPA methyldopa 250 mg tablet, 100 Aldomet, Hydopa 100 5 20
METHYLPREDNISOLONE methylprednisolone acetate 40 mg/mL modified release injection, 5 x 1 mL vials Depo-Medrol, Depo-Nisolone 5 0 20
METOPROLOL SUCCINATE METOPROLOL SUCCINATE Tablet 190 mg (controlled release), 30 Metrol-XL 190, Minax XL, Topreloc-XL, Toprol-XL 190 30 5 20
METOPROLOL SUCCINATE Tablet 190 mg (controlled release), 30 Metrol-XL 190, Minax XL, Topreloc-XL, Toprol-XL 190 60 5 50
METOPROLOL SUCCINATE Tablet 47.5 mg (controlled release), 30 Metrol-XL 47.5, Minax XL, Topreloc-XL, Toprol-XL 47.5 30 5 20
METOPROLOL SUCCINATE Tablet 47.5 mg (controlled release), 30 Metrol-XL 47.5, Minax XL, Topreloc-XL, Toprol-XL 47.5 60 5 50
METOPROLOL SUCCINATE Tablet 95 mg (controlled release), 30 Metrol-XL 95, Minax XL, Topreloc-XL, Toprol-XL 95 30 5 20
METOPROLOL SUCCINATE Tablet 95 mg (controlled release), 30 Metrol-XL 95, Minax XL, Topreloc-XL, Toprol-XL 95 60 5 50
METOPROLOL TARTRATE METOPROLOL TARTRATE Tablet 100 mg, 60 APO-Metoprolol, Betaloc, Metoprolol Sandoz, Metrol 100, Minax 100, Mistrom, NOUMED METOPROLOL 60 5 20
METOPROLOL TARTRATE Tablet 100 mg, 60 APO-Metoprolol, Betaloc, Metoprolol Sandoz, Metrol 100, Minax 100, Mistrom, NOUMED METOPROLOL 120 5 50
METOPROLOL TARTRATE Tablet 50 mg, 100 APO-Metoprolol, Betaloc, Metoprolol Sandoz, Metrol 50, Minax 50, Mistrom, NOUMED METOPROLOL 100 5 20
METOPROLOL TARTRATE Tablet 50 mg, 100 APO-Metoprolol, Betaloc, Metoprolol Sandoz, Metrol 50, Minax 50, Mistrom, NOUMED METOPROLOL 200 5 50
MINOCYCLINE minocycline 50 mg tablet, 60 Akamin 50, Minomycin-50 60 5 20
MINOXIDIL minoxidil 10 mg tablet, 100 Loniten 100 5 20
minoxidil 10 mg tablet, 100 Loniten 200 5 50
minoxidil 10 mg tablet, 60 Minoxidil 10 mg (Roma Pharmaceuticals) 100 5 20
MIRTAZAPINE mirtazapine 45 mg tablet, 30 APX-Mirtazapine, Axit 45, Blooms The Chemist Mirtazapine, MIRTANZA, Mirtazapine Sandoz, NOUMED MIRTAZAPINE 30 5 20
mirtazapine 45 mg orally disintegrating tablet, 30 MIRTANZA ODT 30 5 20
MOCLOBEMIDE moclobemide 150 mg tablet, 60 Amira 150, Aurorix, Clobemix, Moclobemide Sandoz 60 5 20
moclobemide 300 mg tablet, 60 Amira 300, Aurorix 300 mg, Clobemix, Moclobemide Sandoz 60 5 20
MODAFINIL modafinil 100 mg tablet, 60 APO-Modafinil, Modafin, Modafinil GH, Modafinil Mylan, Modafinil Sandoz, Modafinil Viatris, Modavigil 120 5 20
MONTELUKAST montelukast 4 mg chewable tablet, 28 MONTELAIR 4, Montelukast APOTEX, Montelukast Lupin, Montelukast Mylan, Montelukast Sandoz 4 28 5 20
montelukast 5 mg chewable tablet, 28 MONTELAIR 5, Montelukast APOTEX, Montelukast Lupin, Montelukast Mylan, Montelukast Sandoz 5 28 5 20
MOXONIDINE moxonidine 200 microgram tablet, 30 APO-Moxonidine, Moxonidine GH, Moxonidine GX, Moxonidine Viatris, Moxotens, Physiotens 30 5 20
moxonidine 200 microgram tablet, 30 APO-Moxonidine, Moxonidine GH, Moxonidine GX, Moxonidine Viatris, Moxotens, Physiotens 60 5 50
moxonidine 400 microgram tablet, 30 APO-Moxonidine, Moxonidine GH, Moxonidine GX, Moxonidine Viatris, Moxotens, Physiotens 30 5 20
moxonidine 400 microgram tablet, 30 APO-Moxonidine, Moxonidine GH, Moxonidine GX, Moxonidine Viatris, Moxotens, Physiotens 60 5 50
MYCOPHENOLATE mycophenolate mofetil 250 mg capsule, 50 Ceptolate 600 5 50
mycophenolate mofetil 250 mg capsule, 100 APO-Mycophenolate, CellCept, Mycophenolate Sandoz, Pharmacor Mycophenolate 250 600 5 50
mycophenolate mofetil 1 g/5 mL powder for oral liquid, 165 mL CellCept, Pharmacor Mycophenolate 2 5 50
mycophenolate mofetil 500 mg tablet, 50 ARX-MYCOPHENOLATE, CellCept, Ceptolate, MycoCept, Mycophenolate APOTEX, Mycophenolate GH, Mycophenolate Sandoz, Noumed Mycophenolate, Pharmacor Mycophenolate 500 300 5 50
mycophenolate 180 mg enteric tablet, 120 Mycophenolic Acid ARX, Myfortic 240 5 50
mycophenolate 360 mg enteric tablet, 120 MYCOTEX, Mycophenolic Acid ARX, Myfortic 240 5 50