Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Patient eligibility

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidises treatment with biological medicines under the National Health Act 1953, section 100 for patients with uncontrolled COPD.

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 biological medicines.

Section 100 arrangements

Mepolizumab

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

an approved private hospital
a public hospital.

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

Treatment specifics

To be eligible for PBS-subsidised treatment with mepolizumab, patients must be treated by either a:

respiratory physician
general physician experienced in the management of patients with uncontrolled COPD.

Authority applications

Applying for initial treatment or recommencement of treatment

Please note: You don’t need to complete this application in writing when you request PBS authority online.

Applications for initial or recommencement (after a 12-month break) authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised mepolizumab to treat uncontrolled COPD can be made:

using the Online PBS Authorities system
in writing and using HPOS Form upload
in writing and mailed to PBS Complex Drugs Programs.

All written applications must include:

details of the proposed prescription or prescriptions
the completed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - mepolizumab - initial or recommencement after a 12-month break authority application form
relevant attachments.

Applying for initial grandfather treatment

Please note: You don’t need to complete this application in writing when you request PBS authority online.

Applications for initial grandfather authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised mepolizumab to treat uncontrolled COPD can be made:

using the Online PBS Authorities system
in writing and using HPOS Form upload
in writing and mailed to PBS Complex Drugs Programs.

All written applications must include:

details of the proposed prescription or prescriptions
the completed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - mepolizumab - initial grandfather authority application form
relevant attachments.

Applying for continuing treatment Applications for continuing authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised mepolizumab to treat uncontrolled COPD can be made either:

in real time using the Online PBS Authorities system
by calling the PBS Complex Drugs Programs enquiry line.

More information

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