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Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) Program in Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) 012-18042700

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This document outlines details of PBS-subsidised brentuximab vedotin and pembrolizumab for patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) who have failed autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) or are ASCT naïve. Brentuximab vedotin is also PBS-subsidised for patients with Stage III or IV CD30 positive HL.

HL and listing dates

HL is a cancer of the immune system.

Listing dates:

  • brentuximab vedotin- 1 April 2017
  • pembrolizumab - 1 May 2018 (moved to General Schedule as of 1 December 2022)

See Written Authority Required Drugs for more information.

Treatment specifics

For patients with:

  • initial Stage III or IV CD30 positive HL, treatment with brentuximab vedotin is limited to no more than 6 treatment cycles in a lifetime
  • relapsed or refractory HL, treatment is limited to no more than 4 initial cycles, 12 continuing cycles and a total of 16 cycles in a lifetime

Enquiries

Transfer enquiries about prescription arrangements to the PBS Complex Drugs Programs team and choose the option relevant to the condition treated.

The Resources page contains:

  • contact details
  • FAQs from Service Officers
  • restriction and item codes
  • the PBS schedule
  • Services Australia website link

Online Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Authorities System (OPA System)

Processing an existing Authority request in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

Processing and National Demand Allocation (PaNDA)

Processing Complex Authority Required Listings

Processing Delayed Assessment requests in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

Processing new Authority requests in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

Written Authority Required Drugs