Deferasirox (Jadenau / Exjade) equivalence note

Page last updated: 6 December 2018

The Administrative note for deferasirox tablets stating: “Pharmaceutical benefits that have the form deferasirox ‘N’mg dispersible tablet and pharmaceutical benefits that have the form deferasirox ‘N’mg film coated tablet are equivalent for the purposes of substitution” is intended to clarify the equivalence of the dispersible forms and the film-coated forms for prescribers. It is not intended to indicate that a brand substitution can be made by the dispenser for these items.

Brand substitution is indicated through the use of a brand equivalence flag (“a flag”) which is notably absent here.

To minimise confusion, this Administrative note will be removed and a change will be made to the clinical criteria from “this drug” to “deferasirox”. The change will appear in the PBS Schedule on 1 February 2018.