Please find below information relating to new and amended Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listings implemented on 1st March 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 (80 mg/0.8 ml injection, 0.8 ml pen device) (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. 

Precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (Pre-B-cell ALL) 

Blinatumomab (38.5 microgram injection [l vial](&) inert substance solution [10 ml vial], 1 pack) (Blincyto®) is now listed on the PBS for the treatment of Pre-B-cell ALL. Authority applications for initial and grandfather treatments can be made in writing. Applications for continuing treatment can be made either in real-time using the Online PBS Authorities system or by telephone. 

Retinal vein occlusion 

Faricimab (6 mg/0.05 ml intraocular injection, 0.05 ml vial) (Vabysmo®) is now listed on the PBS for the treatment of branch or central retinal vein occlusion with macular oedema. Authority applications for initial treatment can be made either in real-time using the Online PBS Authorities system or in writing. Prescriptions for continuing treatment are Authority required (STREAMLINED). 

Severe psoriatic arthritis

Risankizumab (150 mg/ml injection, 1 ml pen device) (Skyrizi®) is now listed on the PBS for the treatment of severe psoriatic arthritis. Authority applications for initial, grandfather and continuing treatments can be made in writing.

Endogenous Cushing's syndrome 

Osilodrostat (1 mg tablet; 5 mg tablet) (lsturisa®) is now listed on the PBS for the treatment of endogenous Cushing's syndrome. Authority applications for initial, grandfather and continuing treatments can be made either in real-time using the Online PBS Authorities system or by telephone. 

Multiple sclerosis 

Fingolimod (250 microgram capsule; 500 microgram capsule) (Gilenya®); ofatumumab (20 mg/0.4 ml injection, 0.4 ml pen device) (Kesimpta®); siponimod (250 microgram tablet; 1 mg tablet; 2 mg tablet) (Mayzent®) has had an amendment to the listing to allow prescribing by nurse practitioners in consultation with a specialist physician. Prescriptions for treatment are Authority required (STREAMLINED). 

Non-familial hypercholesterolaemia & familial heterozygous hypercholesterolaemia 

lnclisiran (284 mg/1.5 ml injection, 1.5 ml syringe) (Leqvio®) has had an amendment to the restriction level. Prescriptions for treatment are now Authority required (STREAMLINED). There has also been an amendment to the listing to allow prescribing by nurse practitioners in consultation with a specialist physician. 

Chronic heart failure 

Sacubitril + valsartan (sacubitril 24.3 mg+ valsartan 25.7 mg tablet; sacubitril 48.6 mg+ valsartan 51.4 mg tablet; sacubitril 97.2 mg+ valsartan 102.8 mg tablet) (Entresto®) has had an amendment to the listing to allow treatment initiation by nurse practitioners. Prescriptions for treatment are Authority required (STREAMLINED). 

Contraception 

Drospirenone + ethinylestradiol (drospirenone 3 mg+ ethinylestradiol 20 microgram tablet [24] (&) inert substance tablet [4], 28 or 3 x 28) (Vaz®); (drospirenone 3 mg+ ethinylestradiol 30 microgram tablet [21] (&) inert substance tablet [7], 28 or 3 x 28) (Yasmin®) is now listed on the PBS for contraceptive use. 

Drospirenone + ethinylestradiol is listed as an unrestricted benefit. 

Menopausal hormone therapy 

Estradiol (0.06% (750 microgram/actuation) gel, 64 actuations) (Estrogel®); progesterone (100 mg capsule) (Prometrium®); progesterone (&) estradiol (progesterone 100 mg capsule [30] (&) estradiol 0.06% (750 microgram/actuation) gel [64 actuations], 1 pack) (Estrogel Pro®) are now listed on the PBS for menopausal hormone therapy. Estradiol, progesterone and progesterone (&) estradiol are each listed as an unrestricted benefit. 

Estradiol (100 microgram/24 hours patch, 24) (Estramon (Germany, Sandoz)®) for menopausal hormone therapy is now on the PBS for the current supply shortage under Section 19A. Estradiol is listed as an unrestricted benefit. 

Estradiol + norethisterone acetate (estradiol 50 microgram/24 hours+ norethisterone acetate 140 microgram/24 hours patch (ESTALIS 140/50 (Canada) ®); estradiol 50 microgram/24 hours + norethisterone acetate 250 microgram/24 hours patch (ESTALIS 250/50 (Canada)®) for menopausal hormone therapy is now on the PBS for the current supply shortage under Section 19A. Estradiol + norethisterone is listed as an unrestricted benefit and a restricted benefit for 60 day dispensing. 

Diabetes mellitus type 2 

Acarbose (50 mg tablet; 100 mg tablet) (acarbose 50 mg tablets (Morningside, UK)®; acarbose 100 mg tablets (Morningside, UK)®) for the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2 is now listed on the PBS for the current supply shortage under Section 19A. Acarbose is listed as an unrestricted benefit and a restricted benefit for 60 day dispensing. 

1 February 2025 delisted PBS listings

Sumatriptan (20 mg/actuation nasal spray, 2 x 1 actuation) (lmigran®) 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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