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Patient eligibility
The PBS subsidises treatment with brentuximab vedotin and pembrolizumab for patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma. Patients must also have failed an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) or must be ASCT naïve. This is under section 100 under the National Health Act 1953, section 100 – Efficient funding of chemotherapy (EFC).
Patients must be eligible for the PBS and meet the relevant restriction criteria.
The Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits outlines restrictions for prescribing brentuximab vedotin and pembrolizumab.
Section 100 EFC arrangements
These items are 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 (IV trastuzumab only).
These items are not 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
Brentuximab – failed ASCT or is ASCT naïve
Apply for initial authority approval to prescribe PBS subsidised brentuximab vedotin for the treatment of failed ASCT or ASCT naïve relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma in writing and either:
- upload through HPOS
- post to the PBS Complex Drugs Programs.
All applications must include the completed:
- authority prescription form or forms
- Relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma – brentuximab (failed ASCT or is ASCT naïve) Initial PBS authority application form (PB205)
- relevant attachments.
Pembrolizumab
Apply for initial authority approval to prescribe PBS subsidised pembrolizumab for the treatment of relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma in writing and either:
- upload through HPOS
- post to the PBS Complex Drugs Programs.
All applications must include the completed:
- authority prescription form or forms
- Relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma – pembrolizumab Initial PBS authority application form (PB232)
- relevant attachments.
Applying for continuing treatment
Apply for authority applications to prescribe continuing PBS subsidised brentuximab vedotin and pembrolizumab to treat relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma 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.