Lymphoma - T-cell lymphoma

Patient eligibility

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidises treatment with brentuximab vedotin under the National Health Act 1953, section 100 for patients with CTCL and PTCL.

The PBS subsidises treatment with vorinostat under the National Health Act 1953 section 85 for patients with CTCL.

Patients must be eligible for the PBS and meet the relevant restriction criteria.

The Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits on the PBS website outlines restrictions for prescribing brentuximab vedotin or vorinostat.

Section 100 arrangements

Brentuximab vedotin

This item is only available 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.

This item isn’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

Apply for initial authority approval to prescribe PBS subsidised brentuximab vedotin or vorinostat to treat CTCL or PTCL 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
• relevant initial authority application form
• relevant attachments.

Select the authority application form relevant to the condition treated and the medication being prescribed:

• cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) - brentuximab initial authority application form
• cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) - vorinostat initial authority application form
• peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) - brentuximab vedotin - initial authority application form.

Applying for continuing treatment

Applications for continuing authority approval to prescribe PBS subsidised brentuximab vedotin or vorinostat to treat CTCL or PTCL can be made either:

• in real time using the Online PBS Authorities system
• by calling the PBS Complex Drug Programs enquiry line.

Further information

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