This article describes how 60-Day Prescribing of eligible medications will be supported in Bp Premier commencing on 01 September 2023.
Commencing on 01 September 2023, medical practitioners and nurse practitioners currently permitted to prescribe PBS medicines can make clinical decisions about whether 60-Day prescriptions are appropriate for individual patients with ongoing health conditions who are on a stable medication regimen. Patients can receive twice the medication for the cost of a single prescription with 60-day prescriptions.
These changes will be implemented over 12 months:
- The first phase will introduce 60-Day prescriptions for 92 PBS medications beginning on 01 September 2023.
- A second phase of additional medicines will be available from 1 March 2024. The second phase will increase the number of medications available for 60-day prescribing to almost 200.
- When fully implemented on 01 September 2024, 60-Day prescriptions for over 300 PBS medications will be available.
First Phase of 60-Day Prescribing available from 01 September 2023
The first phase of medicines available for 60-Day prescriptions will support patients who live with a stable ongoing health condition such as
- cardiovascular disease
- Crohn’s disease
- gout
- heart failure
- high cholesterol
- hypertension
- osteoporosis
- ulcerative colitis
To review a list of PBS medications and item codes available during the initial phase of 60-Day Prescribing, visit the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
Second Phase of 60-Day Prescribing available from 01 March 2024
The second phase of medicines available for 60-Day prescriptions will support patients who live with a stable ongoing health condition such as:
- androgen deficiency
- arthritis
- breast cancer
- bipolar disorder
- diabetes
- epilepsy
- hypothyroidism
- incontinence
- menopause
- migraine
- prostate cancer
- prostate enlargement
To review a list of PBS medications and item codes available during the second phase of 60-Day Prescribing, visit the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
Third Phase of 60-Day Prescribing available from 01 September 2024
The third phase of medicines available for 60-Day prescriptions will support patients who live with a stable ongoing health condition such as:
- acne
- anxiety disorders
- asthma
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- constipation
- depression
- dry eyes
- gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
- glaucoma
- Parkinson disease
To review a list of PBS medications and item codes available during the third phase of 60-Day Prescribing, visit the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
What will the changes look like in Bp Premier?
An additional line item will be available in the prescribing flow that providers can select, for patients whom the provider deems eligible, when searching for a medication.
NOTE Providers are required to manually assess patient eligibility for 60-day dispensing based on the criteria supplied by DOHAC, including stability on current medication for the ongoing health condition. The prescribing flow will not suggest or filter options based on eligibility for 60-day dispensing.
What do I need to do?
Download and run the September 2024 Data Update when available, or confirm that your automatic data update schedule has installed the September data update when made available by Best Practice Software.
No other action is necessary to implement these changes.
Resources
- Department of Health and Aged Care 60-day information page
- List of PBS medications and items codes available in the first stage
Last updated: 02 September 2024.
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