Patient eligibility
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidises treatment with biological medicines under the National Health Act 1953, section 85 for patients with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis.
Where the term biological medicine appears, it refers to bimekizumab, certolizumab pegol, golimumab, secukinumab and upadacitinib.
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 biological medicines.
Treatment specifics
To be eligible for PBS-subsidised treatment with biological medicines, patients must be treated by either a:
- rheumatologist
- clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis.
Authority applications
Applying for initial treatment
Apply for initial authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised biological medicines to treat non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis 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 non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis - initial authority application form
- relevant attachments.
Applying for initial grandfather treatment
For patients who received non-PBS-subsidised bimekizumab treatment before 1 October 2024 for non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, 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 non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis - bimekizumab - initial grandfather authority application form
- relevant attachments.
Applying for continuing, change or recommencement of treatment
Applications to continue, change or recommence authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised biological medicines to treat non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis 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.