Arthritis - systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis

The PBS subsidises tocilizumab for patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Patient eligibility

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidises treatment with tocilizumab under the National Health Act 1953, section 85 and section 100 for patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

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 tocilizumab.

Section 100 arrangements

Tocilizumab i.v only

This item is only PBS-subsidised for day admitted patients, non-admitted patients, or patients on discharge who are attending either:

  • an approved private hospital
  • a public participating hospital
  • a public hospital.

You must include the hospital name and provider number on the authority application form. This item isn’t PBS-subsidised for hospital in-patients.

Toxicity and severity descriptors

When demonstrating a patient’s intolerance to prior treatment, use the juvenile idiopathic arthritis toxicity and severity descriptors with the authority application.

Treatment specifics

To be eligible for PBS-subsidised treatment with tocilizumab for systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, patients must be treated by a rheumatologist or are under the supervision of a paediatric rheumatology treatment centre.

Authority applications

Applying for initial treatment

Apply for initial authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised tocilizumab to treat systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis in writing and either:

All applications must include the completed:

Applying for continuing, retrialling or recommencing treatment

Applications for continuing, retrialling or recommencing authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised tocilizumab for systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis in writing and either:

All applications must include the completed:

You can use this authority application form to submit a demonstration of response to the current PBS-subsidised treatment.

Further information

Call the PBS Complex Drugs Programs enquiry line for further information.

Page last updated: 26 September 2022.