Ciprofloxacin PBS extension
January 21, 2011
CIPROFLOXACIN has been
granted a temporary extension to
its PBS listing, in order to expand
the treatment options for
Australians with skin infections
caused by contact with dirty flood
water.
As such, ciprofloxacin can now
be prescribed under the PBS for
the treatment of severe skin or soft
tissue infections associated with
wound management, or where
other antibiotic treatments have
been deemed ineffective or
inappropriate.
The extension of the antibiotic’s
PBS indication was granted by the
Department of Health following
advice by the Pharmaceutical
Benefits Advisory Committee.
Prescribers are advised to first
consider the usual bacteria causes
for cellulitis and deep skin
infections, namely Staph aureus
and Streppyogenes, and their
appropriate antibiotic treatment
regimes before considering
ciprofloxacin.
Designed to be used in cases
where fresh-water skin infections
are more severe than usual,
ciprofloxacin (which acts against
Aeromonas sp) can be added to
the usual antibiotic that would be
prescribed for this condition (di/
flucloxacillin or clindamycin).
In order to prescribe
ciprofloxacin under its extended
indication, prescribers will have to
receive permission from Medicare
Australia, and are also advised to
consult the prescription guidelines
at www.pbs.com.au.
“Ciprofloxacin is an important
antibiotic and consequently there
is a need to ensure that it is
prescribed responsibly to minimise
the risk of resistance developing to
this treatment,” said The Acting
Minister for Health and Ageing,
Mark Butler.
As a result of the extension, the
maximum cost per ciprofloxacin
prescription for concessional
patients is $5.60, and general
patients no more than $34.30.
The indication extension has
been granted until 31 Mar 2011.
See www.health.gov.au for details.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 21 Jan 11To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 21 Jan 11
