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Hospital Circular 27/2009

Date Issued: 24 September 2009

Distribution: Public Hospitals

Subject:Highly Specialised Drugs Program

To advise hospitals of changes to the Highly Specialised Drugs Program, effective 1 October 2009.

We have received recent advice from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing regarding changes to the Highly Specialised Drugs Program, effective 1 October 2009.

DELETED ITEMS

RIBAVIRIN and PEGINTERFERON ALFA-2a

6393L          Pack containing 84            1              $1462.37                   Pegasys RBV    RO
                     tablets ribavirin 200mg
                     and 4 pre-filled syringes
                     peginterferon alfa-2a
                     injection 180mcg

EPOETIN BETA
6487K         Injection 30,000 units         1             $502.50                      NeoRecormon    RO
                     in 0.6mL pre-filled
                     syringe

INDANAVIR SULFATE
6344X         Capsule 100mg (base)      180         $113.75                      Crixivan 100mg   MK
6201J          Capsule 200mg (base)       360        $455.00                      Crixivan 200mg   MK

AMENDED RESTRICTIONS

FILGRASTIM
6291D, 6126K, 6292E and 6127L

PEGFILGRASTIM
6363X

The restriction for these items now includes treatment for:

A patient with inoperable Stage III, IV or IVb squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, larynx, oropharynx or hypopharynx receiving neoadjuvant treatment with docetaxel in combination with cisplatin and fluorouracil who has had a prior episode of febrile neutropenia or prolonged severe neutropenia (neutrophil count of less than 1,000 million cells per litre), or for whom there is clinical justification for wishing to continue therapy with the same drug combination, dosage and treatment schedule, and for whom a good response to treatment is anticipated providing chemotherapy can be delivered as planned.

Full prescribing criteria for all listed items including the above is available at: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/hsdp/app2.htm
                                                                                                                       

Changes notified by hospital circular will be updated in the Guidelines on the internet and the relevant claim forms amended. 

WEB SITE ADDRESS:      www.health.vic.gov.au/hsdp

Sue Race
Acting Director, Programs
Metropolitan Health & Aged Care Services