Subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation (CNV)

Treatment Phase: Initial treatment

Treatment criteria:

  • Must be treated by an ophthalmologist or by an accredited ophthalmology registrar in consultation with an ophthalmologist.

Clinical criteria:

  • The condition must be due to age-related macular degeneration (AMD),

AND

  • The condition must be diagnosed by optical coherence tomography; OR

  • The condition must be diagnosed by fluorescein angiography,

AND

  • The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised therapy for this condition.

Authority approval for initial treatment of each eye must be sought.

The first authority application for each eye must be made via the Online PBS Authorities System (real time assessment) or in writing via HPOS form upload or mail and must include:

(1) Details (date, unique identifying number/code or provider number) of the optical coherence tomography or fluorescein angiogram report.

If the application is submitted through HPOS form upload or mail, it must include:

(a) details of the proposed prescription; and

(b) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).

All reports must be documented in the patient's medical records.

Note

Pharmaceutical benefits that have the form ranibizumab 0.165 mL injection syringe and pharmaceutical benefits that have the form ranibizumab 0.23 mL injection vial are equivalent for the purposes of substitution.

Note

Any queries concerning the arrangements to prescribe may be directed to Services Australia on 1800 700 270 (hours of operation 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday).

Prescribing information (including Authority Application forms and other relevant documentation as applicable) is available on the Services Australia website at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au

Applications for authorisation under this restriction should be made in real time using the Online PBS Authorities system (see www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/hpos)

Alternatively, applications for authority to prescribe can be submitted online using the form upload facility in Health Professional Online Services (HPOS) at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/hpos

Or mailed to:

Services Australia

Complex Drugs

Reply Paid 9826

HOBART TAS 7001

Note

Where both eyes are affected by the condition, a quantity of 2 units can be requested through the same authority application.

Note

No increase in the maximum quantity or number of units may be authorised for applications for treatment of one eye.

Note

No increase in the maximum number of repeats may be authorised.

Note

Special Pricing Arrangements apply.