Drug utilisation sub-committee (DUSC)
February 2026
Abstract
Purpose
To review the utilisation of mepolizumab for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) as requested by DUSC at its October 2025 meeting.
Date of listing on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
Mepolizumab was PBS listed for CRSwNP on 1 April 2023.
Data Source / methodology
Data extracted from the PBS database maintained by Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, processed by Services Australia were used for the analyses.
Key Findings
- Since PBS listing on 1 April 2023, 2,509 patients have been supplied 31,992 prescriptions of mepolizumab for CRSwNP. In 2024, there were 1,717 patients supplied 13,484 prescriptions of mepolizumab for CRSwNP.
- The number of treated patients has increased each quarter, and patients who initiate appear to continue treatment, as approximately 80% of patients who have initiated treatment were identified as continuing treatment at the end of the data collection.
- Publicly available data from the Medicare Benefits Schedule showed a decrease in the number of services related to surgeries for nasal polyps from 2023. However, this decrease was likely due to administrative changes to MBS item codes rather than the PBS listing of mepolizumab.
- The supplied quantity and time between supplies of mepolizumab appear to be in accordance with recommended dosing.
- The majority of patients who initiated mepolizumab for CRSwNP were male (57%).
- The States with the highest use per population were SA, QLD and WA.