Leukaemia - acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

The PBS subsidises blinatumomab, dasatinib, imatinib, inotuzumab ozogamicin and ponatinib for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Patient eligibility

The PBS subsidises treatment with blinatumomab, dasatinib, imatinib, inotuzumab ozogamicin and ponatinib for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). This is under sections 85 and 100 of the National Health Act 1953.

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 blinatumomab, dasatinib, imatinib, inotuzumab ozogamicin and ponatinib.

Section 100 arrangements

Blinatumomab and inotuzumab ozogamicin

These items are only PBS-subsidised for day admitted patients, non-admitted patient, or patients on discharge who are attending either:

  • an approved private hospital
  • a public participating hospital
  • a public hospital.

These items aren’t PBS-subsidised for hospital in-patients. You must include the hospital name and provider number on the authority application form.

Authority applications

Applying for initial treatment

Blintumomab

Apply for initial (induction) authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised blinatumomab for the treatment of ALL in writing and either:

All applications must include the completed:

Dasatinib

Apply for first line initial authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised dasatinib to treat ALL in writing and either:

All applications must include the completed:

Apply for second line initial authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised dasatinib to treat ALL in writing and either:

All applications must include the completed:

Imatinib

Apply for first line initial authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised imatinib to treat ALL by calling the PBS Complex Drugs Programs enquiry line.

Inotuzumab ozogamicin

Apply for initial authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised inotuzumab ozogamicin to treat ALL in writing and either:

All applications must include the completed:

Ponatinib

Apply for initial authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised ponatinib to treat ALL in writing and either:

All applications must include the completed:

Applying for continuing treatment

Apply for continuing authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised blinatumomab, dasatinib, inotuzumab ozagamicin and ponatinib either:

Continuing PBS-subsidised treatment with imatinib is Authority Required (Streamlined). It doesn’t need authority approval from us for listed quantities and repeats.

Further information

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

Page last updated: 26 September 2022.
QC 33146