THE Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing has released Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidy arrangements for amoxicillin Serious Scarcity and Substitutable Medicine Instrument (SSSI).
The arrangements came into effect yesterday following the Department's decision to issue the SSSI for the antibiotic, which will allow pharmacists to supply different strengths of the medication in the manner of administration at equivalent doses for the duration of the shortage, provided specified conditions are met.
The Department noted that substitution will only be authorised between specified amoxicillin formulations, and will not extend to amoxicillin with clavulanic acid formulations.
The SSSI will remain in force until 31 May 2023, unless repealed earlier.
Speaking on 7 News last month, Pharmacy Guild of Australia Victorian Branch President, Anthony Tassone, noted that there was "no clear end date" for shortages of amoxicillin (PD 03 Nov).
He said that shortages of the medication were impacting "children's formulations... and also tablets and capsules for adults".
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