Patient eligibility
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidises treatment with nintedanib and pirfenidone under the National Health Act 1953, section 85 for patients with IPF.
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 nintedanib and pirfenidone.
Treatment specifics
To be eligible for PBS-subsidised treatment with nintedanib and pirfenidone, patients must be diagnosed through a multidisciplinary team and be treated either:
- by a respiratory physician or specialist physician
- in consultation with a respiratory physician or specialist physician.
A multidisciplinary team is defined as including at least a specialist respiratory physician, a radiologist and where histological material is considered, a pathologist.
If attendance isn’t possible because of geographical isolation, consultation with a multidisciplinary team is required for diagnosis.
Authority applications
Applying for initial treatment
Applications for initial authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised nintedanib or pirfenidone to treat IPF can be made either in:
- real time using the Online PBS Authorities system
- writing and use HPOS Form upload
- writing and mail to PBS Complex Drugs Programs.
All written applications must include the completed:
- authority prescription form or forms
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis - initial - authority application form
- relevant attachments.
Applying for a change or recommencement of treatment
Applications to recommence or change authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised nintedanib or pirfenidone to treat IPF can be made either:
- in real time using the Online PBS Authorities system
- by calling the PBS Complex Drugs Programs enquiry line.
Applying for continuing treatment
Applications for continuing authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised nintedanib or pirfenidone to treat IPF 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.