Patient eligibility
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidises treatment with adalimumab and secukinumab under the National Health Act 1953, section 85 for patients with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa.
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 adalimumab and secukinumab.
Treatment specifics
To be eligible for PBS-subsidised treatment with adalimumab and secukinumab, patients must be treated by a dermatologist.
Authority applications
Applying for initial, change or recommencement of treatment
Please note: You don’t need to complete this application in writing when you request PBS authority online.
Applications for initial, change or recommencement authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised adalimumab or secukinumab to treat moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa can be made either:
- using the Online PBS Authorities system
- in writing and use HPOS Form upload
- in writing and mail to PBS Complex Drugs Programs.
All written applications must include:
- details of the proposed prescription or prescriptions
- the completed moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa - initial, change or recommencement authority application form
- relevant attachments.
Applying for initial grandfather treatment
Please note: You don’t need to complete this application in writing when you request PBS authority online.
Applications for initial grandfather authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised secukinumab to treat moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa can be made either:
- using the Online PBS Authorities system
- in writing and use HPOS Form upload
- in writing and mail to PBS Complex Drugs Programs.
All written applications must include:
- details of the proposed prescription or prescriptions
- the completed moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa - secukinumab - initial grandfather authority application form
- relevant attachments.
Applying for continuing treatment
Please note: You’ll get an immediate assessment when you request PBS authorities online.
Applications for continuing authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised adalimumab or secukinumab to treat moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa 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 moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa - continuing authority application form
- relevant attachments.
After we approve the first application for continuing treatment with adalimumab, subsequent continuing treatments with PBS-subsidised biosimilar brands of adalimumab are Authority Required (Streamlined). You don’t need authority approval from us for the listed quantity and repeats.
More information
Call the PBS Complex Drugs Programs enquiry line for more information.