Patient eligibility
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidises treatment with aflibercept, brolucizumab and ranibizumab under the National Health Act 1953, Section 85 for patients with subfoveal CNV.
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 aflibercept, brolucizumab and ranibizumab.
Treatment specifics
To be eligible for PBS subsidised treatment with aflibercept, brolucizumab and ranibizumab, patients must be treated by:
- an ophthalmologist
- an accredited ophthalmology registrar in consultation with an ophthalmologist.
Authority applications
Applying for initial treatment
Apply for initial authority approval to prescribe PBS subsidised aflibercept, brolucizumab or ranibizumab to treat CNV in writing and either:
- upload through Health Professional Online Services (HPOS)
- post to PBS Complex Drugs Programs.
All written applications must include the completed:
- authority prescription form or forms
- Subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation Initial authority application form
- relevant attachments.
Applications to move between different drugs to treat CNV will require a new initial authority application to be completed.
Applying for initial grandfather treatment
For patients who received non-PBS subsidised brolucizumab treatment for CNV before 1 October 2021, apply for initial grandfather approval in writing and either:
- upload through HPOS
- post to PBS Complex Drugs Programs.
All written applications must include the completed:
- authority prescription form or forms
- Subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation – brolucizumab - Initial grandfather authority application form
- relevant attachments.
Applying for continuing treatment
Applications for continuing authority approval to prescribe PBS subsidised aflibercept, brolucizumab or ranibizumab to treat CNV can be made either:
- in real time using the Online PBS Authorities system
- by calling the PBS Complex Drugs Programs enquiry line.
Further information
Call the PBS Complex Drugs Programs enquiry line for further information.