Please find below information relating to new and amended Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listings implemented on 1st April 2025.

This information relates to the administration of these listings by Services Australia. For further information on broader PBS changes, please visit pbs.gov.au. Relevant information and authority application forms have been updated and can be accessed through the Services Australia website. 

Severe Crohn's disease; moderate to severe ulcerative colitis; severe active juvenile idiopathic arthritis; complex refractory Fistulising Crohn's disease; severe active rheumatoid arthritis; severe psoriatic arthritis; ankylosing spondylitis; severe chronic plaque psoriasis; moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa; vision threatening non-infectious uveitis 

Adalimumab (40 mg/0.4 ml injection, 2 x 0.4 ml syringes) (Hyrimoz®) is a new strength of biosimilar now listed on the PBS for the treatment of severe Crohn's disease; moderate to severe ulcerative colitis; severe active juvenile idiopathic arthritis; complex refractory Fistulising Crohn's disease; severe active rheumatoid arthritis; severe psoriatic arthritis; ankylosing spondylitis; severe chronic plaque psoriasis; moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa; vision threatening non-infectious uveitis.

Vision threatening non-infectious uveitis

Adalimumab (20 mg/0.4 ml injection, 0.4 ml syringe) (Abrilada®; Amgevita®) is a new strength of biosimilar now listed on the PBS for the treatment of vision-threatening non-infectious uveitis.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)

Ravulizumab (300 mg/3 ml injection, 3 ml vial; 1.1 g/11 ml injection, 11 ml vial) (Ultomiris®) is now listed on the PBS for the treatment of NMOSD. Authority applications for initial and grandfather treatments can be made either in real-time using the Online PBS Authorities system or in writing.

Authority applications for continuing treatment can be made either in real-time using the Online PBS Authorities system or by telephone.

Paediatric low grade glioma and paediatric high grade glioma

Dabrafenib (50 mg capsule; 75 mg capsule; 10 mg dispersible tablet) (Tafinlar®) and trametinib (500 microgram tablet; 2 mg tablet; 50 microgram/ml powder for oral liquid, 90 ml) (Mekinist®) are now listed on the PBS for the treatment of paediatric low grade glioma and paediatric high grade glioma. Authority applications for initial, grandfather and continuing treatments can be made either in real-time using the Online PBS Authorities system or by telephone.

High risk and intermediate-2 risk myelofibrosis and intermediate-1 risk myelofibrosis

Momelotinib (100 mg tablet; 150 mg tablet; 200 mg tablet) (Omjjara®) is now listed on the PBS for the treatment of high risk and intermediate-2 risk myelofibrosis and intermediate- 1 risk myelofibrosis.

Authority applications for initial treatment can be made either in real-time using the Online PBS Authorities system or by telephone. Prescriptions for continuing treatment are Authority required (STREAMLINED).

Ruxolitinib (5 mg tablet; 10 mg tablet; 15 mg tablet, 20 mg tablet) (Jakavi®) has had an amendment to the restriction level. Prescriptions for initial treatment can now be made either in real-time using the Online PBS Authorities system or by telephone. Prescriptions for continuing treatment are now Authority required (STREAMLINED).

Diabetes mellitus type 2

Empagliflozin (10 mg tablet; 25 mg tablet) (Jardiance®) and empagliflozin + metformin (empagliflozin 5 mg + metformin hydrochloride 1 g tablet (Jardiamet 5 mg/1000 mg®); empagliflozin 5 mg + metformin hydrochloride 500 mg tablet (Jardiamet 5 mg/500 mg®); empagliflozin 12.5 mg+ metformin hydrochloride 1 g tablet (Jardiamet 12.5 mg/1000 mg®); empagliflozin 12.5 mg + metformin hydrochloride 500 mg tablet (Jardiamet 12.5 mg/500 mg®)) have an expanded listing to include add-on therapy to metformin for patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 and established cardiovascular disease, those at high risk of a cardiovascular event or patients that identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

Prescriptions for treatment are Authority required (STREAMLINED).

Stimulation of follicular development

Follitropin alfa + lutropin alfa (follitropin alfa 900 units (65.52 microgram)/1.44 ml+ lutropin alfa 450 units/1.44 ml injection, 1.44 ml pen device) (Pergoveris®) has had a change to the restriction.

Prescriptions for treatment are Authority required (STREAMLINED).

Advanced or metastatic gastro-oesophageal cancer

Tislelizumab (100 mg/10 ml injection, 1O ml vial) (Tevimbra®) is now listed on the PBS for the treatment of advanced or metastatic gastro-oesophageal cancer. Prescriptions for treatment are Authority required (STREAMLINED).

Phenylketonuria

Amino acid formula with fat, carbohydrate, vitamins and minerals without phenylalanine (tablet modified release, 6 x 100 g) (PKU Easy Microtabs Plus®) has had a change in formulation. It is listed as a restricted benefit.

Proven glutaric aciduria type 1 and pyridoxine dependent epilepsy

Amino acid formula with vitamins and minerals without lysine and low in tryptophan (5 g of protein equivalent powder for oral liquid, 30 x 12.5 g sachets) (GA explore5™) has had a change in formulation. It is listed as a restricted benefit.

Methylmalonic acidaemia and propionic acidaemia

Amino acid formula with vitamins and minerals without methionine, threonine and valine and low in isoleucine (5 g of protein equivalent powder for oral liquid, 30 x 12.5 g sachets) (MMA/PA explore5™) has had a change in formulation. It is listed as a restricted benefit.

Severe dry eye syndrome

Propylene glycol (0.6% eye drops, 1O ml) (Systane Balance®) is now listed on the PBS for the treatment of severe dry eye syndrome. Propylene glycol is listed as a restricted benefit.

1 April 2025 delisted PBS listings

Chronic arthropathies (including osteoarthritis)

Ketoprofen (200 mg modified release capsule) (Orudis SR 200®) and piroxicam (20 mg dispersible tablet) (Feldene-D®) have been delisted.

Relief of pain and fever - for a patient identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander

Paracetamol (24 mg/ml oral liquid, 100 ml) (Panamax®) has been delisted.

Hypertension

Ramipril + felodipine (ramipril 2.5 mg+ felodipine 2.5 mg modified release tablet) (Triasyn 2.5/2.5®) has been delisted.

Severe dry eye syndrome

Carmellose sodium (0.5% eye drops, 30 x 0.4 ml ampoules) (Cellufresh®) and carmellose sodium (1% eye drops, 30 x 0.4 ml ampoules) (Celluvisc®) have been delisted.

Proctitis and ulcerative colitis

Hydrocortisone acetate (10% enema, 21.1 g) (Colifoam®) has been delisted.

Advanced breast cancer

Medroxyprogesterone acetate (500 mg tablet) (Provera®) has been delisted.

For more information about the Online PBS Authorities system visit www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/hppbsauthorities.

Services Australia has a broad range of educational resources on the Health Professional Education Resources website. This includes simulations, podcast and an infographic on the Online PBS Authorities system. Visit https://hpe.servicesaustralia.gov.au/pharmaceutical-benefits-scheme.html.

Visit servicesaustralia.gov.au/hpwrittenauthoritydrugs on the Services Australia website to find the most up to date authority application form for each drug, program or condition.

For more information go to servicesaustralia.gov.au/hpos. To learn more about these updates, please contact Services Australia directly.

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