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Patient eligibility
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidises treatment with vedolizumab under the National Health Act 1953, section 100 for patients with moderate to severe chronic pouchitis.
Patients must be eligible for the PBS and meet the relevant restriction criteria.
The Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits on the PBS website outlines the restrictions for prescribing vedolizumab.
Section 100 arrangements
vedolizumab i.v.
This item is only PBS-subsidised for non-admitted patients, day admitted patients, or patients on discharge who are attending either:
- an approved private hospital
- a public hospital.
This item isn’t PBS-subsidised for public hospital in-patients. You must include the hospital name and provider number on the authority application form.
Treatment specifics
To be eligible for PBS-subsidised treatment with vedolizumab, patients must be treated by one of the following specialists:
- gastroenterologist
- consultant physician (internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology)
- consultant physician (general medicine specialising in gastroenterology).
Authority applications
Applying for initial or recommencement of treatment
Apply for initial or recommencement authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised vedolizumab to treat moderate to severe chronic pouchitis in writing and either:
- use HPOS Form upload
- mail to PBS Complex Drugs Programs.
All written applications must include:
- details of the proposed prescription or prescriptions
- the completed chronic pouchitis - vedolizumab - initial or recommencement authority application form
- relevant attachments.
Applying for initial grandfather treatment
For patients who received non-PBS-subsidised vedolizumab treatment before 1 December 2024 for moderate to severe chronic pouchitis, apply for initial grandfather authority approval in writing and either:
- use HPOS Form upload
- mail to PBS Complex Drugs Programs.
All written applications must include:
- details of the proposed prescription or prescriptions
- the completed chronic pouchitis - vedolizumab - initial grandfather authority application form
- relevant attachments.
Applying for continuing treatment
Applications for continuing authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised vedolizumab to treat moderate to severe chronic pouchitis can be made either:
- in real time using the Online PBS Authorities system
- by calling the PBS Complex Drugs Programs enquiry line.
More information
Call the PBS Complex Drugs Programs enquiry line for more information.