PBS updates

Doptelet (Avatrombopag)

avatrombopag 20 mg tablet, 30 · ORAL · PBS code 13317X

AUTHORITY_REQUIRED

What it costs

AU$2601.06 PBS-determined price per 30 units

Most patients pay only the standard PBS co-payment, not the full price above — up to AU$25.00 per script (general) or AU$7.70 (concession/Safety Net) in 2026. The figure above is what the PBS pays the pharmacy; the Australian Government subsidises the rest. Always confirm the current amount with your pharmacist.

  • • First listed on the PBS: 2023-07-01.
  • • Repeats: 5.
  • • PBS program: HS.
Eligibility criteria for subsidised access

The following is the government's own wording from the PBS Schedule, shown unchanged.

Listing of Pharmaceutical Benefits (NHL) - Schedule 4 part 1

Severe thrombocytopenia


Initial treatment - New patient


The condition must be severe chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP); AND

Patient must have failed to achieve an adequate response to, or be intolerant to, corticosteroid therapy; AND

Patient must have failed to achieve an adequate response to, or be intolerant to, immunoglobulin therapy; AND

The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised thrombopoietin receptor agonist (TRA) for this condition.

The following criteria indicate failure to achieve an adequate response to corticosteroid and/or immunoglobulin therapy and must be demonstrated at the time of initial application;

(a) a platelet count of less than or equal to 20,000 million per L; OR

(b) a platelet count of 20,000 million to 30,000 million per L, where the patient is experiencing significant bleeding or has a history of significant bleeding in this platelet range.

The authority application must be made via the online PBS Authorities System (real time assessment), or in writing via HPOS form upload or mail and must include:

(a) details of a platelet count supporting the diagnosis of ITP.

All reports must be documented in the patient's medical records.

If the application is submitted through HPOS form upload or mail, it must include:

(i) details of the proposed prescription; and

(ii) a completed authority application form relevant to the indication and treatment phase (the latest version is located on the website specified in the Administrative Advice).

The platelet count must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application and must be documented in the patient's medical records.

A maximum of 24 weeks of treatment with this drug will be authorised under this criterion.

Listing of Pharmaceutical Benefits (NHL) - Schedule 4 part 1

Severe thrombocytopenia


First Continuing treatment or Re-initiation of interrupted continuing treatment


The condition must be severe chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP); AND

Patient must have demonstrated a sustained platelet response to PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition under the Initial treatment restriction if the patient has not had a treatment break, confirmed through a pathology report from an Approved Pathology Authority; or

Patient must have changed treatment from either romiplostim or eltrombopag to this drug under the Balance of Supply/Change of Therapy restriction and demonstrated a sustained response; or

Patient must have demonstrated a sustained platelet response to the most recent PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition prior to interrupted treatment, confirmed through a pathology report from an Approved Pathology Authority; AND

The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised thrombopoietin receptor agonist (TRA) for this condition.

For the purposes of this restriction, a sustained response is defined as the patient having the ability to maintain a platelet count sufficient to prevent clinically significant bleeding based on clinical assessment.

The platelet count must be conducted no later than 4 weeks from the date of completion of the most recent PBS-subsidised course of treatment with this drug and must be documented in the patient's medical records.

Listing of Pharmaceutical Benefits (NHL) - Schedule 4 part 1

Severe thrombocytopenia


Second or Subsequent Continuing treatment


The condition must be severe chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP); AND

Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition under first continuing or re-initiation of interrupted continuing treatment restriction; AND

Patient must have demonstrated a continuing response to PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug; AND

The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised thrombopoietin receptor agonist (TRA) for this condition.

The platelet count must be no more than 4 weeks old at the time of application and must be documented in the patient's medical records.

Listing of Pharmaceutical Benefits (NHL) - Schedule 4 part 1

Severe thrombocytopenia


Balance of supply or change of therapy


The condition must be severe chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP); AND

The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised thrombopoietin receptor agonist (TRA) for this condition; AND

Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Initial treatment restriction; or

Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the First Continuing treatment or Re-initiation of interrupted continuing treatment restriction; or

Patient must have received insufficient therapy with this drug for this condition under the Second or Subsequent Continuing treatment restriction; or

Patient must be changing therapy from romiplostim or eltrombopag to this drug for this condition; AND

The treatment must provide no more than the balance of up to 24 weeks treatment under this restriction.

Patients receiving treatment with romiplostim or eltrombopag may change to avatrombopag under this restriction.

Sponsor: Swedish Orphan Biovitrum Pty Ltd ABN 14 645 396 532

Not medical advice. Voxsanity republishes public PBS data in plain English. PBS listing status and criteria can change; always confirm current subsidised availability with your doctor or pharmacist.

Source: Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), © Commonwealth of Australia. Data used and redistributed under permission; not modified from its original wording where displayed verbatim.