EmailHospital Circular 14/2004
Date Issued: 27 April 2004
Distribution: Public Hospitals
Subject: Highly Specialised Drugs Program
Purpose: To advise hospitals of changes to the Highly Specialised Drugs Program, effective 1 May 2004.
We have had recent advice from the Australian Government of changes to the Highly Specialised Drugs Program, effective 1 May 2004.
ADDED ITEM / DRUG FORM
Lamivudine
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.
| 6435Q | Tablet 300 mg | 30 | $282.00 | 3TC | GK |
Epoetin alfa
Treatment of anaemia requiring transfusion, defined as a haemoglobin level of less than 100 g per L, where intrinsic renal disease, as assessed by a nephrologist, is the primary cause of the anaemia.
| 6434P | Injection 20,000 units in 0.5 mL pre-filled syringe | 6 | $2,040.00 | Eprex 20,000 | JC |
AMENDED RESTRICTION
Epoetin alfa
Change from:
Treatment of anaemia requiring transfusion, defined as a haemoglobin level
of less than 100 g per L, associated with chronic renal failure, defined
as a glomerular filtration rate of less than 60 mL per minute, where treatment
is initiated by, or follows consultation by the prescriber with, a nephrologist.
Change to:
Treatment of anaemia requiring transfusion, defined as a haemoglobin level
of less than 100 g per L, where intrinsic renal disease, as assessed by
a nephrologist, is the primary cause of the anaemia.
Darbepoetin alfa
Change from:
Treatment of anaemia requiring transfusion, defined as a haemoglobin level
of less than 100 g per L, associated with chronic renal failure, defined
as a glomerular filtration rate of less than 60 mL per minute, where treatment
is initiated by, or follows consultation by the prescriber with, a nephrologist.
Change to:
Treatment of anaemia requiring transfusion, defined as a haemoglobin level
of less than 100 g per L, where intrinsic renal disease, as assessed by
a nephrologist, is the primary cause of the anaemia.
Valganciclovir hydrochloride
Change from:
Cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Change to:
Cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome;
Prophylaxis of cytomegalovirus infection and disease in solid organ transplant
patients at risk of cytomegalovirus disease.
DELETE ITEM/DRUG FORM
Efavirenz
| 6258J | Capsule 50 mg | 30 | $37.50 | Stocrin | MK |
Item discontinued by manufacturer.
ADVANCE NOTICE - DELETED ITEM / DRUG FORM
Octreotide Acetate
| 6267W | Injection (modified release) 10 mg (base) vial and 2 ampoules diluent 2 mL | 1 | $1,390.00 | Sandostatin LAR | NV |
| 6268X | Injection (modified release) 20 mg (base) vial and 2 ampoules diluent 2 mL | 1 | $1,850.00 | Sandostatin LAR | NV |
| 6269Y | Injection (modified release) 30 mg (base) vial and 2 ampoules diluent 2 mL | 1 | $2,315.00 | Sandostatin LAR | NV |
Items discontinued by manufacturer effective 1 August 2004.
OTHER AMENDS - CHANGE IN MANUFACTURER
Lenograstim
| 6337M | Powder for injection 13,400,000 i.u. (105 micrograms) vial | 10 | $512.50 | Granocyte 13 | MX |
| 6338N | Powder for injection 33,600,000 i.u. (263 micrograms) vial | 10 | $1,283.60 | Granocyte 34 | MX |
Changes notified by hospital circular will be updated in the Guidelines on the Commonwealth/State Highly Specialised Drugs Program Guidelines website and the claim form amended.
Noreen Dowd
Director, Programs
Metropolitan Health & Aged Care Services
