PBS updates

Xenical (Orlistat)

orlistat 120 mg capsule, 84 · ORAL · PBS code 4570M

AUTHORITY_REQUIRED

What it costs

AU$113.08 PBS-determined price per 84 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: 2004-12-01.
  • • Repeats: 2.
  • • PBS program: R1.
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

Obesity


Initial treatment


Patient must have a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than or equal to 35 with no known co-morbidities; or

Patient must have a BMI greater than or equal to 30 with 1 or more of the following co-morbidities;(i) diabetes;(ii) ischaemic heart disease;(iii) psychiatric conditions;(iv) hypertension; AND

Patient must be receiving, or enrolled to receive, professional dietetic and weight management advice (where this is available); AND

The treatment must not exceed 12 months in total from initial application; AND

Patient must not receive more than 1 continuous treatment in a lifetime.

The prescriber must provide the patient's initial body weight and BMI at the time of application.

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

Obesity


Continuing treatment (3 to 6 months following commencement)


Patient must have previously been issued with an authority prescription for this drug; AND

Patient must have reduced their inital body weight by 2.5 kg or 2.5% (whichever is the lesser) during the period 3 to 6 months following commencement of treatment with this drug; AND

The treatment must not exceed 12 months in total from initial application; AND

Patient must not receive more than 1 continuous treatment in a lifetime; AND

Patient must be receiving, or enrolled to receive, professional dietetic and weight management advice (where this is available).

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

Obesity


Continuing treatment (6 to 12 months following commencement)


Patient must have previously been issued with an authority prescription for this drug; AND

Patient must have reduced their inital body weight by 5 kg or 5% (whichever is the lesser) during the period 6 to 12 months following commencement of treatment with this drug; AND

The treatment must not exceed 12 months in total from initial application; AND

Patient must not receive more than 1 continuous treatment in a lifetime; AND

Patient must be receiving, or enrolled to receive, professional dietetic and weight management advice (where this is available).

Sponsor: Pharmaco (Australia) Limited ABN 89 113 383 501

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.