Pharmacy Daily | ODT to move to s100 HSD

THE way in which Opioid Dependence Treatment (ODT) medicines are currently listed on the PBS Schedule is changing.

From 01 Jul, Opioid Dependence Treatment medicines will become part of the Section 100 Highly Specialised Drugs (HSD) Program (Community Access) arrangements, the PBS has explained.

This means ODT medicines will be dispensed in the same way as other community access Section 100 HSD Program medicines from section 90 approved community pharmacies, section 92 approved medical practitioners, and section 94 approved hospital authorities (public and private).

Under the Section 100 HSD Program, PBS-eligible patients will pay the PBS co-payment to access their treatment (for up to 28 days' supply per pharmaceutical benefit prescribed) and the amount paid will contribute towards their PBS Safety Net threshold.

Additional private dispensing or dosing fees cannot be charged by section 90 community or section 94 hospital pharmacies to patients for ODT medicines under the PBS.

Supplying patients with methadone liquid, buprenorphine sublingual tablets and buprenorphine naloxone sublingual films often requires more frequent activities relating to in-pharmacy and takeaway dosing.

Therefore, also from 01 Jul, a community pharmacy program for ODT medicines will be established, including onsite pharmacist administration of injectable buprenorphine, which will introduce nationally consistent payment arrangements for ODT services provided by community pharmacists, explained the PBS.

ODT medicines currently listed on the PBS Schedule include methadone oral liquid, buprenorphine sublingual tablets, buprenorphine naloxone sublingual films, and long-acting injectable buprenorphine products.

Pharmacists can register to participate in the ODT Community Pharmacy Program via the PPA website, HERE.

Claims can be submitted to Services Australia to be reimbursed in accordance with the remuneration structure for community access Section 100 HSD Program medicines.