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Patient eligibility
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidises treatment with somatropin under the National Health Act 1953, section 100 for paediatric patients with severe growth hormone deficiency.
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 somatropin.
Section 100 arrangements
Somatropin
This item is PBS subsidised under Section 100 and can be dispensed by a:
- community pharmacy
- participating PBS reform public hospital pharmacy
- private hospital pharmacy
- dispensing doctor.
Treatment specifics
Patients must be treated by an endocrinologist to be eligible for PBS-subsidised treatment with somatropin.
You can write prescriptions for brand specific Growth Hormone (GH) medicines. This must be written on the prescription and include the form and strength. For computer generated prescriptions, you’ll need to put the active ingredient first, followed by the brand name, form and strength.
The same brand, including the form and strength, must be used for both the original and repeats. If you need to change brands during a patient’s treatment, you must apply for authority approval from Services Australia.
Authority applications
You can now get immediate PBS authority assessment results for Growth Hormone Authority requests. You can submit your authority application through the Online PBS Authorities system.
You can access the Online PBS Authorities system through:
- Health Professional Online Services (HPOS)
- your upgraded clinical and prescribing software when available.
Use the Online PBS Authorities system to:
- get an immediate authority assessment
- reduce the waiting period for approved authority prescriptions
- submit authority applications 24/7
- cancel or amend an approved application that hasn’t been dispensed
- ask about your previous authority requests for a period of up to 2 years.
Use your Provider Digital Access (PRODA) account to access the Online PBS Authorities system. PRODA provides secure access to online government services. If you don’t have an account yet, register now.
Find out how you can join the other clinicians that are now using the Online PBS Authorities system.
Video demonstration
Watch this video to see how to request a Growth Hormone online authority.
Watch this video to see how to edit a rejected Growth Hormone online authority.
Applying for initial treatment
Applications for initial authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised somatropin to treat severe growth hormone deficiency can be made either:
- in real time using the Online PBS Authorities system
- in writing and uploaded through HPOS or posted to PBS Complex Drugs Programs.
All written applications must include the completed:
- authority prescription form or forms
- Growth Hormone Initial PBS authority application form
- relevant attachments.
Use the PBS Growth Hormone Program Paediatric dose and cartridge quantity calculator on the PBS website to calculate your patient’s correct quantity and weekly dose.
Applying for continuing or recommencement treatment
Applications for continuing or recommencing authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised somatropin to treat severe growth hormone deficiency can be made either:
- in real time using the Online PBS Authorities system
- in writing and uploaded through HPOS or posted to PBS Complex Drugs Programs.
All written applications must include the completed:
- authority prescription form or forms
- Growth Hormone Continuing PBS authority application form
- Growth Hormone Continuing as a reclassified patient PBS authority application form
- Growth Hormone Recommencement PBS authority application from
- Growth Hormone Recommencement as a reclassified patient PBS authority application form
- relevant attachments.
Use the PBS Growth Hormone Program Paediatric dose and cartridge quantity calculator on the PBS website to calculate your patient’s correct quantity and weekly dose.
Read more about the medicine form types available under the Growth Hormone Program on the PBS website.
More information
Call the PBS Complex Drugs Programs enquiry line for further information.