Revised Arrangements for Chemotherapy Drugs & Streamlined Authority Data Capture from 1 December 2011

11 November 2011

The Revised Arrangements for the Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy Drugs (the Revised Arrangements) commence from 1 December 2011. Prescribing and dispensing arrangements for oral chemotherapy medicines remain unchanged. The Revised Arrangements cover infusible and injectable chemotherapy medicines.

The changes will:

• require prescribers to write dose specific prescriptions using milligrams (in most situations) without specific reference to forms and strengths;
• pay approved suppliers/pharmacists for the most cost-efficient combination of vials that makes up the required patient dose; and
• result in changes to the way that chemotherapy drugs are listed in the Schedule.

Also from 1 December 2011, suppliers/pharmacies must identify the Streamlined Authority code on the prescription (if relevant). This is the case for all PBS Authority Required (STREAMLINED) drugs, and not just cancer chemotherapy drugs. 

Further information is available in the fact sheet: Revised Arrangements for the Efficient Funding of Chemotherapy Drugs & Streamlined Authority Data Capture.