Important PBS Changes and Survey from Services Australia

PBS changes affecting patients of nurse practitioners
We are awaiting implementation dates, and will update ACNP members as soon as we have them.

The changes:

• Continuing Therapy Only (CTO) notes are being deleted, allowing nurse practitioners to initiate PBS subsidised treatment. 
• A very small number of CTO listings will convert to a new note ’nurse practitioner initiation where patient care is shared with a medical practitioner’.
• The addition of 3 medicines to be subsidised when prescribed by a NP for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

This is part of ACNPs work with PBAC over the last 18 months that is centred on

• Removal / amendment of all SCM listings - complete
• Removal / amendment of all CTO listings - awaiting implementation
• Addition of general schedule drugs listed for MPs but not NPs - in progress
• Review of prescriber bag (including Penthrox) - in progress

Further information on these changes can be found here,or on the PBS website.

Online PBS Authorities Survey

PBS Authorities have requested we share this survey with members relating to access to Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidised medicines.

Services Australia is committed to improving services by learning how health professionals hear about PBS Authorities' monthly listings and transformation changes.
The short survey closes 31 January 2025.  Click here to complete the survey.