EmailHospital Circular 01/2002
Date Issued: 3 January 2002
Publication: 01/2002
Distribution: Public Hospitals
Subject: Highly Specialised Drugs Program
Purpose: To advise hospitals involved of a number of changes to the Highly Specialised Drugs Program.
We have had recent advice from the Commonwealth on a number of changes to the Highly Specialised Drugs Program. Details of the changes are set out below.
1. ADD ITEMS
Amprenavir (Agenerase)
| 6333H | Capsule 150mg | 240 | $227.50 | GW |
| 6334J | Oral solution 15mg per mL, 240mL | 1 | $19.50 | GW |
Treatment of HIV infection in patients who have failed or experienced treatment-limiting toxicity with other protease inhibitors.
Lanreotide acetate (Somatuline LA)
| 6332G | Powder for suspension for injection 30mg (base) with diluent ampoule | 1 | $750.00 | IS |
Active acromegaly in patients with persistent elevation of mean growth hormone levels of greater than 2.5 micrograms per litre AND
- after failure of other therapy including dopamine agonists; or
- as interim treatment in patients awaiting the effects of radiotherapy and where treatment with dopamine agonists has failed; or
- where surgery and radiotherapy are contraindicated.
Treatment is to cease in patients previously treated with radiotherapy where there is biochemical evidence of remission (normal IGF1) after lanreotide acetate withdrawal for at least 4 weeks (6 weeks after last dose). Lanreotide acetate should be withdrawn for assessment of remission every 2 years in the 10 years after radiotherapy.
Treatment is to cease if there has been failure to lower IGF1 after 3 months treatment.
Lenograstim (Granocyte)
| 6337M | Powder for injection 13,400,000 i.u. (105 micrograms) vial | 10 | $512.50 | AD |
| 6338N | Powder for injection 33,600,000 i.u. (263 micrograms) vial | 10 | $1,283.60 | AD |
Same restriction as existing items.
Nelfinavir mesylate (Viracept)
| 6331F | Tablet 250mg (base) | 300 | $505.56 | RO |
Same restriction as existing items.
EFFECTIVE: 1 February 2002
2. AMEND RESTRICTION
Filgrastim (Neupogen)
| 6126K | Injection 300 micrograms in 1 mL vial | 10 | $1504.00 | AN |
| 6291D | Injection 300 micrograms in 0.5 mL single use pre-filled syringe | 10 | $1504.00 | AN |
| 6127L | Injection 480 micrograms in 1.6 mL vial | 10 | $2407.00 | AN |
| 6292E | Injection 480 micrograms in 0.5 mL single use pre-filled syringe | 10 | $2407.00 | AN |
Change from:
For use in patients undergoing induction and consolidation therapy for acute myeloid leukaemia;Mobilisation of peripheral blood progenitor cells to facilitate harvest of such cells for
Patients with non-myeloid malignancies receiving marrow-ablative chemotherapy and subsequent peripheral blood progenitor cell
Patients being treated with aggressive chemotherapy with the intention of achieving a cure or substantial remission in…………………(no change to remainder of indication)
Change to:
For use in patients undergoing induction and consolidation therapy for acute myeloid leukaemia;Mobilisation of peripheral blood progenitor cells to facilitate harvest of such cells for autologous transplantation into patients with non-myeloid malignancies who have had myeloablative or myelosuppressive therapy;
Mobilisation of peripheral blood progenitor cells, in normal volunteers, for use in allogeneic transplantation;
Patients receiving marrow-ablative chemotherapy and subsequent bone marrow transplantation;
Patients with non-myeloid malignancies receiving marrow-ablative chemotherapy and subsequent autologous peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation;
Patients being treated with aggressive chemotherapy with the intention of achieving a cure or substantial remission in……………………….(no change to remainder of indication)
Lenograstim (Granocyte)
| 6214C | Powder for inj 13,400,000 i.u. | 5 | $256.25 | AD |
| 6124H | Powder for inj 33,600,000 i.u. | 5 | $641.80 | AD |
Add to indication:
Mobilisation of peripheral blood progenitor cells, in normal volunteers, for use in allogeneic transplantation to facilitate harvest of such cells in healthy donors;
EFFECTIVE: 1 February 2002
3. PRICE INCREASE
Doxorubicin hydrochloride (Caelyx)
| 6249X | Suspension for I.V. infusion 20 mg in 10 mL vial 1 | $647.20 | SH |
Please note: There are NO special pricing arrangements for this item, from 1 February 2001. The note referring to special pricing arrangements is to be deleted.
EFFECTIVE: 1 February 2002
4. DELETIONS
Clozapine (SBPA Clozapine)
| 6101D | Tablet 25 mg | 100 | $72.00 | SL |
| 6102E | Tablet 100 mg | 100 | $270.00 | SL |
This brand has been discontinued by the manufacturer, effective 1 February 2002.
EFFECTIVE: 1 February 2002
5. ADVANCE NOTICE - DELETIONS
Efavirenz (Stocrin)
| 6260L | Capsule 200 mg | 42 | $211.23 | MK |
Indinavir sulfate (Crixivan)
| 6252C | Capsule 400 mg (base) | 42 | $106.17 | MK |
Lenograstim (Granocyte)
| 6214C | Powder for inj 13,400,000 i.u | 5 | $256.25 | AD |
| 6124H | Powder for inj 33,600,000 i.u. | 5 | $641.80 | AD |
These drug forms have been discontinued by the manufacturer, effective 1 May 2002.
EFFECTIVE: 1 May 2002
6. OTHER CHANGES
Amend copayment clause
Change from:
| 5.3 | The Commonwealth will deduct co-payments from grants upon acquittal of expenditure. In 1999/2000 the agreed deduction will be 0.8% of the acquitted expenditure. |
Change to:
| 5.3 | The Commonwealth will deduct co-payments from grants upon acquittal of expenditure. In 2001/2002 the agreed deduction will be 0.8% of the acquitted expenditure. |
Amend brand premium note
Change from:
NOTE:A brand premium of $8.19 applies to Desferal 500 mg brand. A brand premium of $0.40 applies to Desferal 2 g brand.
Change to:
NOTE:A brand premium of $8.19 applies to Desferal 500 mg brand. A brand premium of $0.40 applies to Desferal 2 g brand. Both brands may not be available in all hospitals.
|
Any
changes notified by hospital circular will be updated in the
Guidelines on the Commonwealth/State Highly Specialised Drugs Program Guidelines website and the relevant claim forms amended.
Pharmacists are encouraged to check Victoria's Highly Specialised
Drugs Program web site to ensure they are using the correct
claim forms or to request updated copies by |
Mr Peter Donnelly
Director
Funding and Financial Policy
Metropolitan Health and Aged Care Services
