Crohn's disease - paediatric patient

The PBS subsidises biological agents for paediatric patients with severe refractory Crohn's disease.

Patient eligibility

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidises treatment with biological agents under the National Health Act 1953, section 85 and section 100 for paediatric patients with moderate to severe Crohn's disease.

Where the term 'biological agent' appears, it refers to adalimumab and infliximab.

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 agents.

Section 100 arrangements

Infliximab

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.

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

Toxicity and severity descriptors

When demonstrating a patient’s intolerance to prior treatment, use the Crohn's disease toxicity and severity descriptors with the authority application.

Treatment specifics

To be eligible for PBS-subsidised treatment with biological agents for moderate to severe Crohn’s disease, patients must be treated by one of the following specialists:

  • gastroenterologist (code 87)
  • consultant physician (internal medicine specialising in gastroenterology) (code 81)
  • consultant physician (general medicine specialising in gastroenterology) (code 82)
  • paediatrician
  • specialist paediatric gastroenterologist.

Authority applications

Applying for initial treatment

Apply for initial authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised biological agents to treat paediatric patients with moderate to severe Crohn's disease in writing and either:

All written applications must include the completed:

Applying for change or recommencement of treatment

Apply to change or recommence authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised biological agents to treat paediatric patients with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease in writing and either:

All written applications must include the completed:

Applying for continuing treatment

Apply for continuing authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised biological agents to treat paediatric patients with moderate to severe Crohn’s in writing and either:

All written applications must include the completed:

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

After we approve the first application for continuing treatment, subsequent continuing applications for PBS-subsidised biosimilar brands of biological agents are Authority Required (Streamlined). They don’t need authority approval from us for listed quantity and repeats.

Further information

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

Page last updated: 24 August 2023.
QC 32721