Removal of the temporary PBS listings introduced during the tocilizumab shortage, which allowed patients to transition off tocilizumab and onto another biological disease modifying drug

Page last updated: 1 November 2022

As of 15 July 2022, the supply shortage of tocilizumab has resolved. From 1 December 2022, the temporary Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listings, which allowed patients to transition off tocilizumab during the shortage period onto another biological disease modifying drug (bDMARD), will be placed in ‘Supply Only’ state. This means that these items can no longer be prescribed. More information on the initial arrangements can be found in the PBS news item published 20 August 2021, PBS Arrangements for tocilizumab shortage.

The Supply Only state allows patients to continue to access outstanding repeats on prescriptions that were issued under these item codes. These items will remain in a Supply Only state from 1 December 2022 for 6 months, before being completely removed. 

The following PBS item codes will be affected by these changes:

abatacept	adalimumab	barcitinib	certolizumab pegol	etanercept	golimumab	infliximab	tofacitinib	upadacitinib
12680J 12758L 12738K 12756J	12686Q 12699J 12674C 12695E 12696F 12700K 12701L 12732D 12678G 12697G 12749B 12752E 12690X 12698H 12715F 12729Y 12719K 12731C 12733E 12741N	12708W 12730B	12691Y 12702M 12742P 12712C 12724Q 12743Q	12718J 12734F 12740M 12750C 12906G 12907H 12908J 12909K 12679H 12716G 12735G 12736H 12675D 12676E 12737J 12757K	12744R 12703N	12717H 12751D 12687R 12689W 12748Y 12677F 12688T 12753F	12720L	12685P

Information for Prescribers

Prescribers may wish to take this opportunity to consider whether it is clinically appropriate to change their patients back to treatment with tocilizumab. Item codes for tocilizumab which allow patients affected by the shortage to return to treatment with tocilizumab will remain on the PBS. Patients will then be able to transition back onto the relevant ‘continuing treatment’ phase without having to re-meet the ‘initial treatment’ criteria of their former prescribed treatment. These codes are available on the PBS website.

Alternatively, if patients are to remain on their current bDMARD therapy, prescribers should review their patients to ensure they meet the PBS eligibility criteria for the relevant ‘continuing treatment’ listing.

Information for Pharmacists

Pharmacists should note that following the 6-month Supply Only period, authority prescriptions for the above codes will no longer be valid and cannot be dispensed. Pharmacists are encouraged to advise affected patients to consult with their doctor regarding continued treatment.

Information for Consumers

If you (or someone you provide care for) were switched off tocilizumab to another biological medicine due to the shortage, your prescription for the alternative biological medicine will still remain valid until 31 May 2023. You should have a discussion with your prescriber about ongoing treatment options before the end of this 6-month period