Patient eligibility
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidises treatment with lenalidomide and pomalidomide under section 100 of the National Health Act 1953, for patients with multiple myeloma.
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 lenalidomide and pomalidomide.
Section 100 arrangements
Lenalidomide and pomalidomide
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.
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
Lenalidomide
Initial treatment as monotherapy for newly diagnosed disease
Apply for initial authority approval to prescribe PBS subsidised lenalidomide to treat newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in writing and either:
- upload through Health Professional Online Service (HPOS)
- post to PBS Complex Drugs Programs.
All written applications must include the completed:
- authority prescription form or forms
- multiple myeloma - newly diagnosed - monotherapy lenalidomide initial authority application
- relevant attachments.
Initial treatment as dual therapy for newly diagnosed disease
Apply for initial authority approval to prescribe PBS subsidised lenalidomide as dual therapy to treat newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in writing and either:
- upload through HPOS
- post to PBS Complex Drugs Programs.
All written applications must include the completed:
- authority prescription form or forms
- multiple myeloma - newly diagnosed - lenalidomide dual therapy initial authority application
- relevant attachments.
Initial treatment as triple therapy for newly diagnosed disease
Apply for initial authority approval to prescribe PBS subsidised lenalidomide as triple therapy to treat newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in writing and either:
- upload through HPOS
- post to PBS Complex Drugs Programs.
All written applications must include the completed:
- authority prescription form or forms
- multiple myeloma – newly diagnosed – lenalidomide triple therapy initial authority application
- relevant attachments.
Initial treatment - progressive disease
Apply for initial authority approval to prescribe PBS subsidised lenalidomide to treat progressive multiple myeloma in writing and either:
- upload through HPOS
- post to PBS Complex Drugs Programs.
All written applications must include the completed:
- authority prescription form or forms
- multiple myeloma - progressive disease - lenalidomide initial authority application
- relevant attachments.
Applying for continuing treatment
Applications for continuing authority approval to prescribe PBS subsidised lenalidomide to treat multiple myeloma can be made either:
- in real-time using the Online PBS Authorities system
- by calling the PBS Complex Drugs Programs enquiry line.
Pomalidomide
Initial treatment as dual therapy
Apply for initial authority approval to prescribe PBS subsided pomalidomide as dual therapy to treat multiple myeloma in writing and either:
- upload through HPOS
- post to PBS Complex Drugs Programs.
All written applications must include the completed:
- authority prescription form or forms
- multiple myeloma - pomalidomide - dual therapy initial authority application
- relevant attachments.
Initial treatment as triple therapy
Apply for initial authority approval to prescribe PBS subsidised pomalidomide as triple therapy to treat multiple myeloma either:
- in real-time using the Online PBS Authorities system
- by calling the PBS Complex Drugs Programs enquiry line.
Applying for continuing treatment
Application for continuing authority approval to prescribe PBS subsided pomalidomide to treat multiple myeloma can be made either:
- in real-time using the Online PBS Authorities system
- by calling the PBS Complex Drugs Programs enquiry line.
Elotuzumab
Initial and continuing treatment as triple therapy
Applications for initial and continuing authority approval to prescribe PBS subsidised elotuzumab for triple therapy in combination with lenalidomide to treat relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma 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 further information.