on this page
Patient eligibility
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidises treatment with donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine and memantine under the National Health Act 1953, section 85 for Alzheimer’s disease.
Patients must be eligible for the PBS and meet the relevant restriction criteria.
The Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits on the PBS website outlines the restrictions for prescribing Alzheimer’s medications.
Applications
Initial 1 treatment
Initial 1 applications can be requested for up to 2 months for each strength of each drug.
Apply for authority approval to prescribe Initial 1 PBS-subsidised drug to treat patients with Alzheimer’s disease either through:
- Online PBS Authorities System
- Calling PBS authority approvals enquiry line.
Initial 2 treatment
Initial 2 applications must be requested for the balance of up to 6 months initial treatment for each strength of drug.
Apply for authority approval to prescribe initial 2 PBS-subsidised drug to treat patients with Alzheimer’s disease in writing either by:
- upload through Health Professional Online Services (HPOS)
- post to PBS authority approvals.
All applications must include sufficient information to determine patient eligibility either on the authority prescription form or forms, or by completing the Alzheimer’s disease PBS Initial authority application form.
Continuing treatment
Continuing treatment with PBS-subsidised rivastigmine, galantamine and memantine are Authority Required (Streamlined). They do not require prior approval from Services Australia for the PBS listed quantity and repeats.
Further information
For more information contact us on the PBS authority approvals enquiry line.