Progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease

Patient eligibility

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidises treatment with nintedanib under the National Health Act 1953, section 85 for patients with PF-ILD.

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 nintedanib.

Treatment Specifics

To be eligible for PBS subsidised treatment with nintedanib, patients must be diagnosed through a multidisciplinary team and be treated either:

by a respiratory physician or specialist physician
in consultation with a respiratory physician or specialist physician.

A multidisciplinary team is defined as including at least a specialist respiratory physician, a radiologist and where histological material is considered, a pathologist.

If attendance isn’t possible because of geographical isolation, consultation with a multidisciplinary team is required for diagnosis.

Authority applications

Applying for initial treatment

Apply for initial authority approval to prescribe PBS subsidised nintedanib to treat progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease 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
Progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease - nintedanib - initial authority application form.

Applying for initial grandfather treatment

For patients who received non-PBS subsidised nintedanib treatment before 1 May 2022 for PF-ILD, apply for initial grandfather authority approval in writing and either: