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

Severe asthma

The condition must be stable for the prescriber to consider the listed maximum quantity of this medicine suitable for this patient; AND

Must be treated by a respiratory physician, paediatric respiratory physician, clinical immunologist, allergist, paediatrician or general physician experienced in the management of patients with severe asthma; or in consultation with one of these specialists; AND

Patient must have failed to achieve adequate control with optimised asthma therapy, despite formal assessment of and adherence to correct inhaler technique, which has been documented; AND

Patient must have experienced at least one severe exacerbation prior to receiving PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition, which has required documented use of systemic corticosteroids in the previous 12 months while receiving optimised asthma therapy; or

Patient must have experienced frequent episodes of moderate asthma exacerbations prior to receiving PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug for this condition; AND

The treatment must be used in combination with a maintenance combination of an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and a long acting beta-2 agonist (LABA) unless a LABA is contraindicated; AND

Patient must be aged 6 to 17 years inclusive.

Optimised asthma therapy includes adherence to the maintenance combination of a medium to high dose ICS and a LABA. If LABA therapy is contraindicated, not tolerated or not effective, montelukast, cromoglycate or nedocromil may be used as an alternative