Skip to navigation Skip to content

Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (AXSPA) Program in Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) 012-18112216

Expand/Collapse all sectionsExpand all


This document outlines details of PBS-subsidised biological medicines for patients with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (AXSPA).

AXSPA and listing dates

AXSPA is a type of inflammatory disease of the joints that does not display the classic features on radiographic tests.

Listing dates:

  • golimumab - 1 December 2018
  • certolizumab pegol - 1 June 2020
  • secukinumab - 1 April 2021
  • upadacitinib - 1 August 2023
  • bimekizumab - 1 October 2024

See Written Authority Required Drugs for more details.

Treatment specifics

Treatment cycles

A break in treatment cycles is measured:

  • from the date of last approval for PBS-subsidised biological medicine treatment in the most recent cycle
  • to the date of the first application for initial treatment with a biological medicine under the new treatment cycle

There is no limit to the number of treatment cycles.

See Table 1 on the Resources page in Processing Complex Authority Required Listings for full details.

Enquiries

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

The Resources page contains:

  • application forms
  • contact details
  • restriction and item codes
  • the PBS schedule, and
  • Services Australia website link

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

Process telephone Authority approval application

Processing and National Demand Allocation (PaNDA)

Processing Complex Authority Required Listings

Processing Written Authority requests

Written Authority Required Drugs