PBS updates

Spravato (Esketamine)

esketamine 28 mg/2 actuations nasal spray, 2 x 2 actuations · NASAL · PBS code 14837X

AUTHORITY_REQUIRED

What it costs

AU$294.16 PBS-determined price per 8 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: 2025-05-01.
  • • Repeats: 5.
  • • PBS program: HB.
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

Treatment resistant major depression


Non-induction treatment


The treatment must be to continue existing PBS-subsidised treatment for this indication; AND

The treatment must not exceed each of: (i) an administered dose beyond 84 mg, (ii) a quantity of drug, after accounting for repeat prescriptions plus different pack sizes where prescribed, that would exceed a quantity sufficient to treat the patient for 24 weeks; AND

Patient must have demonstrated adequate response to treatment with esketamine after the 4-week induction and every 6 months thereafter as evaluated by a structured clinical rating scale (evidence of scores and justification of demonstration of response must be retained in the patient's medical records); AND

Must be treated by a psychiatrist, where prescribing must also be completed by the treating psychiatrist; AND

Patient must be undergoing supervision at an accredited treatment centre for the administration of esketamine.

The listed quantity of 8 units of nasal spray is intended for a dosage of 56 mg per treatment administration in the non-induction treatment setting.

Sponsor: Janssen-Cilag Pty Ltd ABN 47 000 129 975

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.