This document outlines details of PBS-subsidised biological medicines for patients with juvenile arthropathies (JIA, e/s JIA and sJIA).
For information on how to process a PBS Authority, see Processing Complex Authority Required Listings.
On this page:
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) <18 years quick reference
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) >18 years quick reference
Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) quick reference
Enthesitis/spondylitis related juvenile idiopathic arthritis (e/s JIA) quick reference
Delayed assessment
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) <18 years quick reference
Table 1
Restrictions | Authority level and section | PA assessment | Processing system | Prescriber type | Prescriber self-serve |
Initial | Telephone Electronic S85: tocilizumab s.c. tofacitinib S100: adalimumab etanercept tocilizumab i.v. | No | OPA | Must be treated by a: - paediatric rheumatologist, or under the supervision of paediatric rheumatology treatment centre
| Yes |
Grandfather | Telephone Electronic S100: adalimumab | No | OPA | Must be treated by a: - paediatric rheumatologist, or under the supervision of paediatric rheumatology treatment centre
| Yes |
Continuing | Streamlined S85: tocilizumab s.c. tofacitinib S100: adalimumab etanercept tocilizumab i.v. (Telephone for increased quantities of tocilizumab i.v. if required - check dosage calculator) | No | N/A | Must be treated by a: - rheumatologist, or under the supervision of paediatric rheumatology treatment centre
| N/A |
Change or recommencement | Telephone Electronic S85: tocilizumab s.c. tofacitinib S100: adalimumab etanercept tocilizumab i.v. | No | OPA | Must be treated by a: - paediatric rheumatologist, or under the supervision of paediatric rheumatology treatment centre
| Yes |
Balance of supply: for initial only | Telephone Electronic S85: tocilizumab s.c. tofacitinib S100: adalimumab etanercept tocilizumab i.v. | No | OPA | Must be treated by a: - paediatric rheumatologist, or under the supervision of paediatric rheumatology treatment centre
| Yes |
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) >18 years quick reference
Table 2
Restrictions | Authority level and section | PA assessment | Processing system | Prescriber type | Prescriber self-serve |
Initial PB062 form | Written Electronic S85: adalimumab etanercept tocilizumab s.c. S100: tocilizumab i.v. | No | OPA | Must be treated by a: - rheumatologist
- clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis
| Yes - immediate or delayed assessment (delayed if any free text option used) |
First Continuing PB063 form | Written Electronic S85: adalimumab etanercept tocilizumab s.c. S100: tocilizumab i.v. | No | OPA | Must be treated by a: - rheumatologist
- clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis
| Yes |
Subsequent continuing PB063 form | Written Electronic S85: adalimumab etanercept tocilizumab s.c. S100: tocilizumab i.v. | No | OPA | Must be treated by a: - rheumatologist
- clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis
| Yes |
Subsequent continuing: biosimilar | Streamlined S85: adalimumab | No | N/A | Must be treated by a: - rheumatologist
- clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis
| N/A |
Change or recommencement PB282 form | Written Electronic S85: adalimumab etanercept tocilizumab s.c. S100: tocilizumab i.v. | No | OPA | Must be treated by a: - rheumatologist
- clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis
| Yes - immediate or delayed assessment (delayed if any free text option used) |
Balance of supply | Telephone Electronic S85: adalimumab etanercept tocilizumab s.c. S100: tocilizumab i.v. | No | OPA | Must be treated by a: - rheumatologist
- clinical immunologist with expertise in the management of rheumatoid arthritis
| Yes |
Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) quick reference
Table 3
Restrictions | Authority level and section | PA assessment | Processing system | Prescriber type | Prescriber self-serve |
Initial | Telephone Electronic S85: tocilizumab s.c. S100: tocilizumab i.v. | No | OPA | Must be treated by a: - rheumatologist, or under the supervision of paediatric rheumatology treatment centre
| Yes |
Continuing | Streamlined S85: tocilizumab s.c. S100: tocilizumab i.v. (Telephone for increased quantities of tocilizumab i.v. if required - check dosage calculator) | No | N/A | Must be treated by a: - rheumatologist, or under the supervision of paediatric rheumatology treatment centre
| N/A |
Recommencement | Telephone Electronic S85: tocilizumab s.c. S100: tocilizumab i.v. | No | OPA | Must be treated by a: - rheumatologist, or under the supervision of paediatric rheumatology treatment centre
| Yes |
Balance of supply: for initial only | Telephone Electronic S85: tocilizumab s.c. S100: tocilizumab i.v. | No | OPA | Must be treated by a: - rheumatologist, or under the supervision of paediatric rheumatology treatment centre
| Yes |
Enthesitis/spondylitis related juvenile idiopathic arthritis (e/s JIA) quick reference
Table 4
Restrictions | Authority level and section | PA assessment | Processing system | Prescriber type | Prescriber self-serve |
Initial | Telephone Electronic S85: adalimumab | No | OPA | Must be treated by a: - paedriatic rheumatologist, or under the supervision of paediatric rheumatology treatment centre
| Yes |
Grandfather | Telephone Electronic S85: adalimumab | No | OPA | Must be treated by a: - paedriatic rheumatologist, or under the supervision of paediatric rheumatology treatment centre
| Yes |
Continuing | Streamlined S85: adalimumab | No | OPA | Must be treated by a: - paedriatic rheumatologist, or under the supervision of paediatric rheumatology treatment centre
| N/A |
Balance of supply: for initial only | Telephone Electronic S85: adalimumab | No | OPA | Must be treated by a: - paedriatic rheumatologist, or under the supervision of paediatric rheumatology treatment centre
| Yes |
Delayed assessment
Delayed assessment due to contraindication and/or intolerance to prior DMARD therapy or reason for bloods not being elevated (JIA >18).
Table 5: this table lists the details of what to check for the delayed assessment and common acronyms
Service Officers to assess free text is: | Example | Outcome |
Relevant to the question | - Hypersensitivity to any components of the formulation
- Gastrointestinal adverse reactions
| Approve |
Random text | - Happy Birthday
- Patient did not want to take
- Ikasditbn
| Reject |
Non-descriptive | | Reject |
If the text is for: | Example | Outcome |
Bloods not elevated | - Treatment with prednisolone dosed at 7.5 mg or higher daily (or equivalent)
- Steroid injection in the past month
| Approve |
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 acronym used.