Severe growth failure with primary insulin-like growth factor-1 deficiency - Health professionals

Patient eligibility

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidises treatment with mecasermin under the National Health Act 1953, section 100 for patients aged 2 to 17 years old (inclusive) with severe growth failure with primary insulin-like growth factor-1 deficiency (IGFD).

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 mecasermin.

Section 100 arrangements

Mecasermin

This item is PBS-subsidised under Section 100 Growth Hormone Program and can be dispensed by a:

community pharmacy
participating PBS reform public hospital pharmacy
private hospital pharmacy
dispensing doctor.

Treatment specifics

To be eligible for PBS-subsidised treatment with mecasermin, patients must be treated by and the medication must be prescribed by either:

a paediatric endocrinologist
a paediatrician in consultation with a paediatric endocrinologist.

Authority applications

Applying for initial treatment

Applications for initial authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised mecasermin to treat severe growth failure with primary IGFD 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 the completed:

authority prescription form or forms
severe growth failure with primary insulin-like growth factor-1 deficiency - mecasermin - initial authority application form
relevant attachments.

Applying for continuing treatment

Applications for continuing authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised mecasermin to treat severe growth failure with primary IGFD can be made either in: