EmailHospital Circular 19/2008
Date Issued: 24 June 2008
Distribution: Public Hospitals
Subject: Highly Specialised Drugs Program
Purpose: To advise hospitals of changes to the Highly Specialised Drugs Program, effective 1 July 2008
Circular 19/2008 - Highly Specialised Drugs Program June 2008 (PDF file 22KB)
We have had recent advice from the Commonwealth Government regarding changes to the Highly Specialised Drugs Program, effective 1 July 2008.
ADDED ITEMS
Cinacalcet Hydrochloride
9625N Tablet 30mg (base) 28 Sensipar $298.86 AN
9626P Tablet 60mg (base) 28 Sensipar $593.72 AN
9627Q Tablet 90mg (base) 28 Sensipar $890.58 AN
Natalizumab
9624M Solution concentrate. 1 Tysabri $2,038.46 BD for I.V infusion,
300mg/15ml
Raltegravir Potassium
9629T Tablet 400mg (base) 60 Isentress $1,146.90 MK
Full prescribing criteria for all items available at the Commonwealth/State Highly Specialised Drugs Program Guidelines website.
AMENDED RESTRICTIONS
Bosentan Monohydrate
Epoprostenol
Iloprost Trometamol
Sildenafil
Sitaxentan
The changes to the 5 items above recognise that Iloprost trometamol is now subsidised for use in patients under the age of 18.
Sevelamer Hydrochloride
The change recognises that Sevelamer Hydrochloride is now subsidised for use in patients under the age of 18.
Filgrastim
Pegfilgrastim
Editing changes to wording of restriction.
Infliximab
Restriction amended for psoriatic arthritis by removing the requirement for a “record of rheumatoid factor negative status” from the first paragraph of each restriction.
Interferon Alfa – 2a
Interferon Alfa – 2b
Lamivudine
Peginterferon Alfa-2a
Chronic hepatitis B criteria amended:
Removing - HBc antigen positive and/or HBV DNA positive
Adding - in conjunction with documented chronic hepatitis B infection.
Entecavir
The change recognises the use in patients younger than 16 years and;
Chronic hepatitis B criteria amended for the 0.5mg tablet:
Removing - HBc antigen positive and/or HBV DNA positive
Adding - in conjunction with documented chronic hepatitis B infection.
Chronic hepatitis B criteria amended for the 1mg tablet:
Removing - the definition of the upper limit of normal serum ALT levels
Removing - HBc antigen positive and/or HBV DNA positive
Adefovir
Chronic hepatitis B criteria amended:
Removing – the definition of the upper limit of normal serum ALT levels
Removing - HBc antigen positive and/or HBV DNA positive.
Full prescribing criteria for all items available at the Commonwealth/State Highly Specialised Drugs Program Guidelines website.
ADVANCE NOTICE OF DELETION from 1 August 2008
Apomorphine Hydrochloride
APO-go Injection 20mg/2ml
Saquinavir Mesylate
Invirase Capsules 200mg (base)
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.
Geoff Lavender
Director, Programs
Metropolitan Health & Aged Care Services
