EmailHospital Circular 33/2008
Date Issued: 28 November 2008
Distribution: Public Hospitals
Contact: Michael Furey 9096 2506 Anne Johnston on 9096 0212
Subject: Highly Specialised Drugs Program
Purpose: To advise hospitals of changes to the Highly Specialised Drugs Program, effective 1 December 2008
We have had recent advice from the Commonwealth Government regarding changes to the Highly Specialised Drugs Program, effective 1 December 2008.
ADDED ITEMS
Lopinavir with Ritonavir |
9633B | Tablets 100mg/25mg x60 | $171.25 | Kaletra | AB |
Ribavirin and Peginterferon alfa-2b |
9634C | 196 capsules ribavirin 200mg and 4 single use injection pens containing peginterferon alfa-2b powder for injection 150mcg with diluent | $2,182.24 | Pegatron | SH |
DELETED ITEM
Nelfinavir mesylate |
6331F | Tablet 250mg | Viracept | RO |
AMENDED RESTRICTIONS
Ribavirin and Peginterferon alfa-2b |
various strengths | Pegatron | SH |
6405D, 6400W, 6407F, 6409H, 6402Y, 6401J, 6403B, 9634C, 6404C, 6406E, 6408G, 6399T and 6401X
Now available to patients who have failed one prior attempt at interferon based therapies (non-pegylated or pegylated).
Telbivudine |
9630W | Tablet 600mg | Sebivo | NV |
Removal of the term HBeAg-positive from the description of chronic Hepatitis B.
PRICE DECREASE
| New price | Old price | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Telbivudine |
Tablets 600mg | 28 | 9630W | $250.88 | $322.84 |
Full prescribing criteria for all items available at the Commonwealth/State Highly Specialised Drugs Program Guidelines website.
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
