What's new?

May 2013

The Healthcare Identifiers Service Licensed Materials for the May 2013 release are now available.

January 2013

New eligibility requirements for the PIP eHealth Incentive start 1 February.

The Department of Human Services’ Compliance Program 2012—13 is now available.

The 2013 Medicare Teen Dental Plan voucher is valued up to $166.15

The Medicare Safety Net threshold figures for 2013 are now available.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST), adjuvant - imatinib mesylate

Through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), under Section 85 arrangements of the National Health Act 1953, authority to prescribe imatinib mesylate (Glivec®) is required for the treatment of completely resected primary gastrointestinal stromal tumour with high risk of recurrence.

Restriction details

View a full transcript of the restriction detailsExternal link.

Patients are eligible for a maximum of 12 months of combined non PBS subsidised and PBS subsidised imatinib mesylate treatment at a maximum dose of 400 mg per day.

Initial applications

Up to five repeats will be authorised for an intital application.

Continuing applications

A competed authority prescription for the remainder of the treatment must be submitted by mail.

Item details

Dose

The maximum dose that can be prescribed for GIST - adjuvant is 400 mg per day.

Glivec® is available in a tablet form:

  • Glivec 100 mg tablets in a pack size of 60 and
  • Glivec 400 mg tablets in a pack size of 30.

Patient eligibility

Patients must meet the relevant restrictions as per the criteria and be eligible to receive pharmaceutical benefits.

Who is eligible for the PBS?

Reports

The following reports are required for initial PBS subsidised applications:

A copy of pathology report(s) from an approved Australian pathology authority confirming:

    • the diagnosis of a gastrointestinal stromal tumour
    • the presence of CD117 on immunohistochemical staining
    • the size and mitotic rate of the tumour
    • the date of tumour resection, which must not be more than three months prior to the date of the initial application

Lodgement procedures

Applications for initial approvals must be in writing.

Send all written applications to:

Medicare Australia
Prior written approval of specialised drugs
Reply paid 9826
Hobart Tasmania 7001

(No stamp required if posted in Australia)

For more information call 1800 700 270* (option 3) Monday to Friday 8.00am to 5.00pm EST.

* Call charges apply from mobile or pay phones only

Application form

Initial PBS subsidised treatment for GIST - adjuvant - Imatinib mesylate (Glivec) PBS authority application supporting information form 8011 [PDF, 229Kb]PDF reader required

Lodge this form for a patient starting initial PBS subsidised treatment for GIST – adjuvant treatment.

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Last updated: 4 April, 2012