Skip to navigation Skip to content

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) Program in Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) 012-19072601

Expand/Collapse all sectionsExpand all



Giant cell arteritis (GCA) restriction and item codes

Do not share this attachment externally. See Freedom of Information - Information Publication Scheme.

https://ourblueprint.internal.dept.local/content/images/icon-hidden-attachment.png|A linked attachment is available for staff only (i.e. under IPS/FOI)PBS giant cell arteritis restriction and item codes

Contact details

PBS Complex Drugs Program team

Forms

Giant cell arteritis - tocilizumab - initial authority application form (PB272)

Services Australia website

Giant cell arteritis

External websites

PBS schedule for Giant cell arteritis

FAQs from Service Officers

Table 1: see Table 2 in Processing Complex Authority Required Listings for FAQs about all Complex programs.

Item

Description

1

What is the maximum amount of PBS-subsidised tocilizumab treatment that can be approved?

Patients can qualify once only in a lifetime for Initial and Continuing therapy and cannot receive more than 52 weeks of total treatment. A second initial application cannot be considered.

2

If a patient's blood results are not elevated as they have been on prednisolone or another steroid, can this be accepted?

No. The PBS restriction has no provisions for non-elevated blood results, and all patients must meet the PBS criteria.