Changes to treatment phases and authority levels in medicines for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Page last updated: 24 April 2023
From 1 May 2023, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) item codes for donepezil, galantamine, memantine and rivastigmine, for the treatment of mild to moderately severe Alzheimer’s disease, will be updated to combine the ‘Initial 1’ and ‘Initial 2’ treatment phases. The changes will be made based on the Post Market Review of PBS Authority Required (Written) listings. In this review, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee recommended to change the Authority level of medicines for Alzheimer’s disease from Written to Telephone/Online for Initial treatment. As a result of these changes, the ‘Initial 2’ treatment phase will be placed in a ‘Supply Only’ state. This means that these items can no longer be prescribed. The existing ‘Initial 1’ item codes, with the updated access criteria, will remain on the PBS.
The Supply Only state allows patients to continue to access outstanding repeats on prescriptions that were issued under the Initial 2 item codes. These items will remain in a Supply Only state from 1 May 2023 for 6 months, before being completely removed.
The following PBS item codes will be affected by these changes:
|
donepezil |
galantamine |
memantine |
rivastigmine |
|---|---|---|---|
|
11924N 11922L |
11918G 11899G |
11902K 11905N |
11925P 11904M 11901J 11923M 11912Y 11916E 11903L |
Information for Prescribers
Patients currently receiving treatment with the former ‘Initial 1’ or ‘Initial 2’ treatment phases will need to receive 6 months of treatment before qualifying for continuing treatment. Patients who have received less than 6 months of initial treatment under the former ‘Initial 1’ can requalify under the new ‘Initial’ treatment phase to ensure 6 months of treatment. Prescribers should request the appropriate number of repeats as to allow only 6 months of treatment before prescribing under the continuing treatment item codes.
Information for Pharmacists
Pharmacists should note that following the 6 month Supply Only period, authority prescriptions for the above codes will no longer be valid and cannot be dispensed. Pharmacists are encouraged to advise affected patients to consult with their doctor regarding continued treatment.
