Pharmacy Daily | Palliative care med supplies secured

ACCESS to a key subsidised medication used by palliative care patients has been restored after the sole supplier of the drug left the Australian market last year.

Palliative Care Australia (PCA)Acting CEO, Margaret Deerain, noted that while overseas suppliers have been able to provide access to hydromorphone oral solution, through special provisions, the medication came in significantly larger bottle sizes, which created a safety risk.

"Hospital and community pharmacists found themselves stuck in the middle and unable to deliver a medication many people relied on, and one the sector wanted to continue to provide for," she said.

"Pharmacists were unable to split the bottles into smaller quantities and ensure their patients had access to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidies.

"However, I am pleased to report that the Commonwealth Department of Health has responded to the issue and made adjustments to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme claiming arrangements so that palliative care patients can access the amount of medication they need, while also ensuring greater stewardship and limiting waste of this important medication."

The move to improve access to the medication through the PBS has also been backed by the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) CEO, Kristin Michaels.

"Our hospital pharmacist members who work alongside doctors and nurses to provide safe and quality care for palliative care patients, have prioritised medicines safety and quality use of medicines by supplying smaller bottles of hydromorphone liquid," she said.

"In doing so, they have been forgoing PBS reimbursement for hydromorphone liquid, which costs hundreds of dollars.

"We are very pleased to see the advocacy of PCA and SHPA's Palliative Care Leadership Committee result in a common-sense change to the PBS listing of hydromorphone liquid which will facilitate safe and quality access to a critical medicine for palliative care patients."