Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) Program in Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) 012-18051121

ITP is a condition with isolated low platelet counts and an increased tendency for patients to bleed.

Listing dates:

• romiplostim - 1 April 2011
• eltrombopag - 1 November 2011
• avatrombopag - 1 July 2023

See Written Authority Required Drugs for more details.

For treatments with romiplostim, the appropriate vial strength is selected based on the patient’s weight, with a maximum weekly dose of 10 mcg/kg. You can use the romiplostim dosage calculator on the code sheet to get the optimised vial combinations.

The total period of treatment authorised under the initial restriction must not exceed 24 weeks. Once the patient’s dose has been stable for a period of 4 weeks during titration, the rest of the 24-week treatment can be requested under the balance of supply or change of therapy restriction.

Once an initial treatment with avatrombopag, eltrombopag or romiplostim has been approved, a change of therapy to an alternative agent can be requested at any time under the balance of supply or change of therapy restriction.

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