Please note: You’ll get an immediate assessment when you request PBS authorities online.
Patient eligibility
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidises treatment with asciminib and ponatinib under the National Health Act 1953, section 85 for patients with CML.
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 asciminib and ponatinib.
Treatment specifics
Ponatinib
To be eligible for initial PBS-subsidised treatment with ponatinib, patients must be treated by a medical practitioner.
To be eligible for continuing PBS-subsidised treatment with ponatinib, patients must be treated by either a:
- medical practitioner
- nurse practitioner where patient care is being shared with a medical practitioner and the prescription continues existing therapy with this medicine.
Authority applications
Applying for initial treatment
Asciminib for patients with T315I mutation
Applications for initial authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised asciminib to treat CML can be made in:
- real time using the Online PBS Authorities system
- writing and using HPOS Form upload
- writing and mailed to PBS Complex Drugs Programs.
All written applications must include:
- details of the proposed prescription or prescriptions
- the completed chronic myeloid leukaemia - asciminib or ponatinib - initial authority application form
- relevant attachments.
Asciminib for patients without T315I mutation
Applications for initial authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised asciminib to treat CML 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
Asciminib for patients with T315I mutation
Applications for continuing authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised asciminib to treat CML can be made either in:
- real time using the Online PBS Authorities system
- writing and using HPOS Form upload
- writing and mailed to PBS Complex Drugs Programs.
All written applications must include:
- details of the proposed prescription or prescriptions
- the completed chronic myeloid leukaemia - asciminib or ponatinib - continuing authority application form
- relevant attachments.
Asciminib for patients without T315I mutation
Continuing PBS-subsidised treatment with asciminib is Authority Required (Streamlined). You don’t need authority approval from us for the listed quantities and repeats.
Ponatinib
Applying for initial treatment
Applications for initial authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised ponatinib to treat CML can be made either in:
- real time using the Online PBS Authorities system
- writing and using HPOS Form upload
- writing and mailed to PBS Complex Drugs Programs.
All written applications must include:
- details of the proposed prescription or prescriptions
- the completed chronic myeloid leukaemia - asciminib or ponatinib - initial authority application form
- relevant attachments.
Applying for continuing treatment
Applications for first continuing authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised ponatinib to treat CML can be made either in:
- real time using the Online PBS Authorities system
- writing and using HPOS Form upload
- writing and mailed to PBS Complex Drugs Programs.
All written applications must include:
- details of the proposed prescription or prescriptions
- the completed chronic myeloid leukaemia - asciminib or ponatinib - continuing authority application form
- relevant attachments.
After we approve the first continuing application for ponatinib treatment, subsequent continuing applications 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.