Breast cancer

The PBS subsidises lapatinib, pertuzumab, trastuzumab and trastuzumab emtansine for patients with breast cancer.

Please note: You’ll get an immediate assessment when you request PBS authorities online.

Patient eligibility

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidises treatment with lapatinib, pertuzumab, trastuzumab and trastuzumab emtansine under the National Health Act 1953, sections 85 and 100 for patients with breast cancer.

Patients must be eligible for the PBS and meet the relevant restriction criteria.

The Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits on the PBS website outlines restrictions for prescribing lapatinib, pertuzumab, trastuzumab and trastuzumab emtansine.

Section 100 arrangements

Pertuzumab, trastuzumab and trastuzumab emtansine are only PBS-subsidised for non-admitted patients, day admitted patients, or patients on discharge who are attending:

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

These items aren’t PBS-subsidised for hospital in-patients. You must include the hospital name and provider number on the authority application form.

Trastuzumab

All PBS-subsidised treatment with trastuzumab is Authority Required (Streamlined). It doesn’t need prior authority approval from us for listed quantities and repeats.

Authority applications

Early HER2 positive breast cancer

Applying for initial treatment

Applications for initial authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised trastuzumab emtansine to treat early HER2 positive breast cancer can be made in writing and either in:

All written applications must include the completed:

Applying for continuing treatment

Applications for continuing authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised trastuzumab emtansine to treat early HER2 positive breast cancer can be made either:

Metastatic (Stage IV) HER2 positive breast cancer

Applying for initial treatment

Applications for initial authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised lapatinib to treat metastatic (Stage IV) HER2 positive breast cancer can be made in writing and either in:

All written applications must include the completed:

Applications for initial authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised pertuzumab or trastuzumab emtansine to treat metastatic (Stage IV) HER2 positive breast cancer can be made either:

Applying for continuing treatment

Applications for continuing authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised pertuzumab or trastuzumab emtansine to treat metastatic (Stage IV) HER2 positive breast cancer can be made either:

Continuing PBS-subsidised treatment with lapatinib is Authority Required (Streamlined). It doesn’t need prior authority approval from us for listed quantities and repeats.

More information

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

Page last updated: 17 May 2023.
QC 32471