PBS Growth Hormone Program (Adult Use) 1 January 2020 Listing Changes

Page last updated: 18 December 2019

Changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) restrictions for growth hormone (GH) treatment (adult use), which set out the eligibility requirements for PBS subsidy, are being introduced on 1 January 2020.

On 1 January 2020, the adult listing will be amended to improve clarity and access for patients with childhood onset growth hormone deficiency (CO-GHD) due to congenital, genetic or structural cause. This means that children may continue to access PBS subsidised growth hormone treatment as adults if they meet the PBS restriction criteria.

Patients with CO-GHD due to a congenital, genetic or structural cause will be eligible to access somatropin as adults once skeletal maturity is reached. Additionally, CO-GHD patients due to a congenital, genetic or structural cause who have previously received PBS-subsidised therapy as children will no longer be required to provide provocation tests to meet the eligibility criteria for adult use somatropin.

Somatropin is currently listed on the PBS for the treatment of adult and paediatric growth hormone deficiency conditions. The restriction criteria for the supply under the PBS of the pharmaceutical benefit somatropin (growth hormone) for paediatric and adult use is available at www.pbs.gov.au.