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

Vision threatening non-infectious uveitis

Continuing treatment

Patient must have previously received PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; AND

Patient must demonstrated or sustained an adequate response to treatment with this drug for this condition; AND

The treatment must not exceed 24 weeks under this restriction per authority application; AND

Must be treated by an ophthalmologist, rheumatologist or immunologist with expertise in uveitis; or

Must be treated by a medical practitioner who has consulted at least one of the above mentioned specialist types, with agreement reached that the patient should be treated with this pharmaceutical benefit on this occasion.

An adequate response to treatment is defined as:

(a) Sustained reduction in inflammation defined as a 2-step decrease from baseline in Standardisation of Uveitis Nomenclature (SUN) criteria for anterior chamber or vitreous haze; or

(b) Sustained quiescence of inflammation defined as Standardisation of Uveitis Nomenclature (SUN) criteria less than or equal to 0.5+ anterior chamber or vitreous haze, absence of active vitreous or retinal lesions or vitreous cells; or

(c) Sustained corticosteroid sparing effect, allowing reduction in prednisone to less than 7.5 mg daily; or

(d) Reduction in frequency of ocular attacks to less than or equal to 1 per year (patients with Behcet's disease only)

The patient remains eligible to receive continuing treatment with the same biological medicine in courses of up to 24 weeks providing they continue to sustain an adequate response. It is recommended that a patient be reviewed in the month prior to completing their current course of treatment.