Severe chronic spontaneous urticaria

Patient eligibility

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidises treatment with omalizumab under the National Health Act 1953, section 100 for adult patients with severe chronic spontaneous urticaria.

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 omalizumab.

Section 100 arrangements

Omalizumab

This item is only PBS-subsidised for non-admitted patients, day admitted patients, or patients on discharge who are attending either:

an approved private hospital
a public hospital.

This item isn’t PBS-subsidised for public hospital in-patients. You must include the hospital name and provider number on the authority application form.

Treatment specifics

To be eligible for PBS-subsidised treatment with omalizumab, patients must be treated by either:

a clinical immunologist
an allergist
a dermatologist
a general physician with expertise in the management of chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Authority applications

Applying for initial treatment

Please note: You don’t need to complete this application in writing when you request PBS authority online.

Applications for initial authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised omalizumab to treat severe chronic spontaneous urticaria can be made either:

using the Online PBS Authorities system
in writing and use HPOS Form upload
in writing and mail to PBS Complex Drugs Programs.

All written applications must include:

details of the proposed prescription or prescriptions
the completed severe chronic spontaneous urticaria - omalizumab - initial authority application form
relevant attachments.

Applying for continuing treatment

Applications for continuing authority approval to prescribe PBS-subsidised omalizumab to treat severe chronic spontaneous urticaria 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.