Information regarding brands of colestyramine and changes to PBS listing of s19A JAMP CHOLESTYRAMINE effective 1 September 2023
Page last updated: 1 September 2023
As of 1 August 2023, the section 19A (s19A) brand JAMP-Cholestyramine has been listed on the PBS temporarily to manage the shortage of the brand Questran Lite (colestyramine 4 g powder for oral liquid, 50 sachets).
The Department of Health and Aged Care is making changes to the listing of the below-mentioned products on the PBS, effective 1 September 2023.
The changes being implemented for 1 September 2023 affect the s19A listing for colestyramine 4 g powder for oral liquid, 30 sachets following consultation with key stakeholders.
The changes being applied on 1 September 2023 are detailed in the table below.
|
Change |
Current |
Amendments from 1 September 2023 |
|---|---|---|
|
Removal of ‘a’ flag |
colestyramine 4 g powder for oral liquid, 30 sachets (JAMP-Cholestyramine) is ’a’-flagged to colestyramine 4 g powder for oral liquid, 50 sachets (Questran Lite) |
’a’ flag removed between brands |
JAMP-Cholestyramine is listed as the same form as Questran Lite, however it is available in a smaller pack size of 30 sachets. Due to the smaller pack size, the maximum script quantity has been increased to 3.33 packs to be in line with the Questran Lite listing parameters. The increase in maximum quantity packs of 3.33 for JAMP-Cholestyramine compared to 2 for Questran Lite has resulted in pharmacies having issues at dispensing and pharmacy payment claims not being processed.
To resolve this issue, the ‘a’-flag has been removed between the 2 items.
Advice for dispensing colestyramine from 1 September 2023:
- Script written before 1 August 2023 cannot be substituted from 1 September 2023. Patients will need a new script.
- Script written from 1 August 2023 can be supplied with either brand that pharmacies have in stock provided brand substitution is allowed on the script.
- Script written from 1 September 2023 can be supplied with either brand that pharmacies have in stock provided brand substitution is allowed on the script.
Although the ‘a’ flag has been removed, both colestyramine brands continue to be listed on the PBS for the same therapeutic indications. If no brand is specified on the original prescription (or brand substitution is allowed), pharmacies can supply the brand they have in stock for that original supply. Repeat supplies will then need to have this same brand supplied for the life of the prescription.
Please visit the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s s19A webpage for more information regarding JAMP-Cholestyramine and the shortage of colestyramine brands.
For information pertaining to PBS listings, including medical and product information for colestyramine, please visit the relevant PBS webpage.
