Ulcerative colitis (UC) Program in Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) 012-18051140
Expand allThis document outlines details of PBS-subsidised biological medicines for patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC).
For information on how to process a PBS Authority, see Processing Complex Authority Required Listings.
On this page:
Ulcerative colitis (UC) adult quick reference
Ulcerative colitis (UC) paediatric quick reference
Ulcerative colitis (UC) adult quick reference
Table 1
Restrictions | Authority level and section | PA assessment | Processing system | Prescriber type | Prescriber self-serve |
Initial PB127 form | Written Electronic S85: adalimumab etrasimod* golimumab infliximab s.c. ozanimod tofacitinib upadacitinib ustekinumab s.c. vedolizumab s.c. S100: infliximab i.v. ustekinumab i.v. vedolizumab i.v. | No | OPA | Must be treated by a:
| Yes - immediate or delayed assessment (delayed if free text field used) |
Change or Recommencement after a break (<5 years) PB245 form | Written Electronic S85: adalimumab etrasimod* golimumab infliximab s.c. ozanimod tofacitinib upadacitinib ustekinumab s.c. vedolizumab s.c. S100: infliximab i.v. ustekinumab i.v. vedolizumab i.v. | No | OPA | Must be treated by a:
| Yes -immediate or delayed assessment (delayed if free text field used) |
Recommencement after a break (>5 years) PB245 form | Written Electronic S85: adalimumab etrasimod* golimumab infliximab s.c. ozanimod tofacitinib upadacitinib ustekinumab s.c. vedolizumab s.c. S100: infliximab i.v. ustekinumab i.v. vedolizumab i.v. | No | OPA | Must be treated by a:
| Yes |
Dose escalation (initial/re-initiation) | Streamlined S85: ozanimod | No | N/A | Must be treated by a:
| N/A |
Continuing - originator brands | Telephone Electronic S85: adalimumab etrasimod* golimumab ozanimod tofacitinib upadacitinib ustekinumab s.c. vedolizumab s.c. S100: infliximab i.v. vedolizumab i.v. | No | OPA | Must be treated by a:
| Yes |
Continuing | Streamlined S85: infliximab s.c. | No | N/A | Must be treated by a:
| N/A |
Subsequent continuing - biosimilar brands | Streamlined S85: adalimumab ustekinumab s.c. S100: infliximab i.v. (Telephone for increased quantities of infliximab i.v. for patients >100kg) | No | N/A | Must be treated by a:
| N/A |
Dose modification | Telephone Electronic S85: upadacitinib | No | OPA | Must be treated by a:
| Yes |
Balance of supply | Telephone Electronic S85: adalimumab etrasimod* golimumab infliximab s.c. ozanimod tofacitinib upadacitinib ustekinumab s.c. vedolizumab s.c. S100: infliximab i.v. vedolizumab i.v | No | OPA | Must be treated by a:
| Yes |
Note: Patients under 18 can apply for etrasimod treatment using restrictions/application forms for adult patients.
See the Background and Resources pages for more details.
Ulcerative colitis (UC) paediatric quick reference
Table 2
Restrictions | Authority level and section | PA assessment | Processing system | Prescriber type | Prescriber self-serve |
Initial PB215 form | Written Electronic S85: adalimumab S100: infliximab i.v. | No | OPA | Must be treated by a:
| Yes - delayed assessment (delayed if free text field used) |
Change or Recommencement after a break (<5 years) PB246 form | Written Electronic S85: adalimumab S100: infliximab i.v | No | OPA | Must be treated by a:
| Yes - immediate or delayed assessment (delayed if free text field used) |
Recommencement after a break (>5 years) PB246 form | Written Electronic S85: adalimumab S100: infliximab i.v. | No | OPA | Must be treated by a:
| Yes |
First continuing | Telephone Electronic S85: adalimumab | No | OPA | Must be treated by a:
| Yes |
Subsequent continuing - all brands | Streamlined S85: adalimumab | No | N/A | Must be treated by a:
| N/A |
Continuing - originator brands | Telephone Electronic S100: infliximab i.v. | No | OPA | Must be treated by a:
| Yes |
Continuing - biosimilar brands | Streamlined S100: infliximab i.v. (Telephone for increased quantities of infliximab i.v. for patients >100kg) | No | N/A | Must be treated by a:
| N/A |
Balance of supply | Telephone Electronic S85: adalimumab S100: infliximab i.v | No | OPA | Must be treated by a:
| Yes |
Delayed assessment
Delayed assessment due to:
- contraindication and/or intolerance to prior therapies
- drug name(s) of prior therapies
Table 3: this table lists the details of what to check for the delayed assessment and common acronyms.
Common acronyms
- LFT - Liver function tests
- GI toxicity - Gastrointestinal
- N+V - Nausea and vomiting
Escalate to a Pharmaceutical Adviser (PA) by phone if unsure of the acronym and/or drug name used.