NSW Labor

Many patients with chronic illnesses will benefit from the added convenience of some PBS prescriptions now being able to be prescribed by doctors for a 12-month period.

Patients whose care is being managed through General Practitioner Management Plans or Team Care Plans will benefit from these changes announced in the 2008-09 federal Budget – with more medicines to be added in December and January.

Changes to the listings of medicines subsidised under the PBS from today will benefit people with ulcerative colitis, chronic pain, schizophrenia and diabetes.

The first medicines that can be prescribed this way include eye formulations for the treatment of severe dry eye syndrome, and sulfasalazine (Salazopyrin®) for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Previously, these medicines could only be prescribed for up to six months.

The PBS listing of a new strength of mesalazine (Salofalk®), to allow for a once-daily dosage, is now available to treat a chronic long-term condition known as ulcerative colitis that affects the bowel.

Mesalazine is PBS-listed to assist patients who cannot tolerate the alternative treatment of sulfasalazine.

Durotram® XR for people suffering from chronic pain and the newly-listed form of quetiapine fumarate (Seroquel® XR) for people with schizophrenia will provide the convenience of a once-daily dose regimen, rather than the current twice-daily regimen.

The listing of insulin glulisine (Apidra®) as a 10 mL injection vial will complement the 3 mL injection vial already available through the PBS, and offer more options to people with diabetes.

Insulin glulisine is used to reduce high blood sugar (glucose) levels in people with diabetes. More than 1 million Australians currently have diabetes.

Information about medicines subsidised by the Australian Government through the PBS is available at www.pbs.gov.au