Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Please note: You’ll get an immediate assessment when you request PBS authorities online.

Patient eligibility

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidises treatment with avatrombopag, eltrombopag and romiplostim under the National Health Act 1953, section 100 for patients with ITP.

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 avatrombopag, eltrombopag and romiplostim.

Section 100 arrangements

Avatrombopag, eltrombopag and romiplostim

These items are only PBS-subsidised for non-admitted patients, day admitted patients, or patients on discharge who are attending:

• an approved private hospital
• a public hospital.

These items aren’t PBS-subsidised for public hospital in-patients. You must include the hospital name and provider number on the authority application form.

Treatment specifics

For romiplostim initial treatment, you need to request one vial of the appropriate strength, to titrate therapy based on the patient’s weight. A maximum of 5 repeats will be authorised.

Once the patient’s dose has been stable for a period of 4 weeks, you can request authority approval under the balance of supply or change of therapy restriction for sufficient vials of appropriate strength. This will be based on the patient’s weight and dose (mcg/kg/week) for up to 4 weeks of treatment. The total period of treatment authorised under this restriction must not exceed 24 weeks and authority approval won’t be given for doses higher than 10 mcg/kg/week.

Where a patient has started treatment with avatrombopag, eltrombopag or romiplostim, you can authorise a change of therapy to an alternative agent at any time under the balance of supply or change of therapy restriction.

Authority applications

Applying for initial treatment

Applications for initial authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised avatrombopag, eltrombopag or romiplostim to treat ITP can be made either in:

• real time using the Online PBS Authorities system
• writing and use HPOS Form upload
• writing and mail to PBS Complex Drugs Programs.

All written applications must include:

• details of the proposed prescription or prescriptions
• the completed idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura - initial authority application form
• relevant attachments.

Applying for balance of supply or change of therapy

Applications for balance of supply or change of therapy to prescribe PBS-subsidised avatrombopag, eltrombopag or romiplostim to treat ITP can be made either:

• in real time using the Online PBS Authorities system
• by calling the PBS Complex Drugs Programs enquiry line.

Applying for first continuing treatment, re-initiation of interrupted continuing treatment, or second/subsequent continuing treatment

Applications for first continuing treatment, re-initiation of interrupted continuing treatment, or second/subsequent continuing treatment authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised avatrombopag, eltrombopag or romiplostim to treat ITP 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.