NEW paediatric indications for adalimumab, unrestricted benefits listings for antihypertensives, and a PBS listing for nasal esketamine were among the recommendations from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) Dec 2024 intracycle meeting.
PBAC recommended new listings for adalimumab for enthesitis/spondylitis related juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and chronic plaque psoriasis for under 18s, as well as reducing restrictions on dosing protocols.
The changes apply to reference brand Humira and biosimilars.
After several knock-backs over the last few years due to concerns over costs, PBAC has now recommended adding nasal esketamine (Spravato, Janssen-Cilag) to the PBS for use in treatment-resistant depression, with a Section 100 Highly Specialised Drug Program authority required listing.
Spravato currently costs around $800 per dose, but if PBS listing is signed off by the health minister, it will greatly reduce its cost to the patient.
However, patients are still liable for the cost of specialist care and supervision when receiving the medication, which can cost hundreds of dollars per visit.
PBAC recommended Spravato usage and its cost to government be monitored.
The PBAC recommended changing PBS restrictions for all antihypertensive dual therapy fixed dose combinations to unrestricted benefit listings.
However, it recommended that 60-day prescription items should remain Restricted Benefit, listings and there are no changes to triple therapy PBS restrictions.
Also recommended was Abilify Asimtufi (Lundbeck), a new long-acting injectable form of aripiprazole for schizophrenia.
See all PBAC outcomes HERE.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 04 Feb 25
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 04 Feb 25
