EmailHospital Circular 08/2002
Date Issued: 16 April 2002
Publication: 08/2002
Distribution: Public Hospitals
Subject: Highly Specialised Drugs Program
Purpose: To advise hospitals involved of a change 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
Epoetin alfa (Eprex)
| 6339P | Injection 40,000 units in 1 mL pre-filled syringe | 1 | $660.00 | JC |
For the treatment of anaemia requiring transfusion, associated with chronic renal failure.
Indinavir sulfate (Crixivan)
| 6344X | Capsule 100 mg (base) | 180 | $113.75 | MK |
Treatment of HIV infection in patients with CD4 cell counts of less than 500 per cubic millimetre, or viral load of greater than 10,000 copies per mL.
Zoledronic acid (Zometa)
| 6343W | Powder for I.V. infusion 4 mg vial with diluent ampoule | 1 | $545.00 | NV |
Treatment of hypercalcaemia of malignancy refractory to anti-neoplastic therapy.
EFFECTIVE:1 May 2002
2. ADD BRAND
Cyclosporin (Cysporin)
| 6111P | Capsule 25 mg | 50 | $75.02 | FA |
| 6112Q | Capsule 50 mg | 50 | $150.00 | FA |
| 6114T | Capsule 100 mg | 50 | $300.00 | FA |
For use by organ or tissue transplant recipients;
Treatment by dermatologists or clinical immunologists of patients with severe atopic dermatitis for whom other systemic therapies are ineffective or inappropriate;
Treatment by dermatologists of patients with severe psoriasis for whom other systemic therapies are ineffective or inappropriate and in whom the disease has caused significant interference with quality of life;
Treatment by nephrologists of nephrotic syndrome in patients in whom steroids and cytostatic drugs have failed or are not tolerated or are considered inappropriate and in whom renal function is unimpaired;
Treatment by rheumatologists or clinical immunologists of patients with severe active rheumatoid arthritis for whom classical slow-acting anti-rheumatic agents (including methotrexate) are ineffective or inappropriate.
EFFECTIVE:1 May 2002
3. AMEND RESTRICTION
Cyclosporin (Neoral)
| 6232B | Capsule 10 mg | 60 | $37.20 | NV |
| 6111P | Capsule 25 mg | 50 | $75.02 | NV |
| 6112Q | Capsule 50 mg | 50 | $150.00 | NV |
| 6114T | Capsule 100 mg | 50 | $300.00 | NV |
| 6125J | Oral liquid 100 mg per mL, 50 mL | 1 | $315.79 | NV |
Add to indication:
Treatment by nephrologists of nephrotic syndrome in patients in whom steroids and cytostatic drugs have failed or are not tolerated or are considered inappropriate and in whom renal function is unimpaired.
EFFECTIVE:1 May 2002
4. ADVANCE NOTICE - DELETION
Epoetin alfa (Eprex)
| 6294G | Injection 40,000 units in 1 mL vial | 1 | $660.00 | JC |
For the treatment of anaemia requiring transfusion, associated with chronic renal failure.
Item is being discontinued by manufacturer, effective 1 August 2002.
Nelfinavir mesylate (Viracept)
| 6230X | Tablet 250 mg (base) | 270 | $455.00 | RO |
Treatment of HIV infection in patients with CD4 cell counts of less than 500 per cubic millimetre, or viral load of greater than 10,000 copies per mL.
Item is being discontinued by manufacturer, effective 1 August 2002.
5. OTHER AMENDMENTS
Cyclosporin (Neoral)
Remove "(containing microemulsion pre-concentrate)" from the description of items. New listing as follows:
| 6232B | Capsule 10 mg | 60 | $37.20 | NV |
| 6111P | Capsule 25 mg | 50 | $75.02 | NV |
| 6112Q | Capsule 50 mg | 50 | $150.00 | NV |
| 6114T | Capsule 100 mg | 50 | $300.00 | NV |
| 6125J | Oral liquid 100 mg per mL, 50 mL | 1 | $315.79 | NV |
EFFECTIVE:1 May 2002
Any changes notified by hospital circular will be updated in the Guidelines on the internet and the relevant claim forms amended. Pharmacists are encouraged to check Victoria's Highly Specialised Drugs Program website to ensure they are using the correct claim forms or to request updated copies by fax on 03-9616 7764.
Mr Peter Donnelly
Director
Funding and Financial Policy
Metropolitan Health and Aged Care Services
