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Update - Substitution of Budesonide + Formoterol listings

Page last updated: 28 July 2023

Important Information for Authorised Prescribers and Approved Pharmacists

The 1 July 2023 PBS Schedule included approved changes to the listings of the form “budesonide 400 microgram/actuation + formoterol fumarate dihydrate 12 microgram/actuation powder for inhalation” for the purpose of allowing pharmacy substitution between brands marketed as a single-inhaler pack (13258T) and brands marketed as a two‑inhaler pack (11301T).

The updated PBS schedule data for 1 August 2023 amended the listing for the two‑inhaler pack (11301T) to allow for the pack to be broken. This 1 August 2023 update has resulted in the potential for incorrect dispensing and reimbursement for this item. The “broken pack not allowed” status will therefore be re-instituted for item 11301T in the data files for 1 September 2023. Additionally, Services Australia will keep applying the broken pack status as not allowed for the month of August 2023 to ensure scripts for this item can be dispensed as intended. Services Australia has implemented a temporary PBS authority approval number that will allow an 'increased quantity' of 2 to be submitted and claimed for this item.

How should prescriptions written for item 11301T prior to 1 July 2023 be handled?

Prescriptions for budesonide 400 microgram/actuation + formoterol fumarate dihydrate 12 microgram/actuation powder for inhalation written prior to 1 July 2023 will be reimbursed correctly when:

  • PBS prescriptions and/or repeats for item 11301T with a Max Quantity of 1 written prior to 1 July 2023 and dispensed after 1 July 2023 should be claimed with a quantity of 2, using the temporary authority code J2023BF.  

Other information:

  • The temporary authority code J2023BF will be removed 1 July 2024, following expiry of scripts written prior to 1 July 2023.
  • Pharmacies should continue to claim prescriptions for item 11301T the same way they are claiming for the month of July 2023.

How should prescriptions written for item 11301T from 1 July 2023 be claimed?

Prescriptions for budesonide 400 microgram/actuation + formoterol fumarate dihydrate 12 microgram/actuation powder for inhalation from 1 July 2023, should be claimed according to the information provided on the prescription.