PBS updates

PHARMACOR VARENICLINE (Varenicline)

varenicline 500 microgram tablet [11] (&) varenicline 1 mg tablet [42], 53 · ORAL · PBS code 9128K

STREAMLINED

What it costs

AU$45.35 PBS-determined price per 1 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: 2023-11-01.
  • • Repeats: 0.
  • • PBS program: GE.
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

Nicotine dependence


Commencement of a short-term (12 weeks or 24 weeks) course of treatment


The treatment must be as an aid to achieving abstinence from smoking; AND

The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised therapy for this condition; AND

Patient must have indicated they are ready to cease smoking; AND

Patient must not receive more than 24 weeks of PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug per 12-month period; AND

Patient must be undergoing concurrent counselling for smoking cessation through a comprehensive support and counselling program or is about to enter such a program at the time PBS-subsidised treatment is initiated.

Details of the support and counselling program must be documented in the patient's medical records at the time treatment is initiated.

Clinical review is recommended within 2 to 3 weeks of the initial prescription being requested.

Sponsor: Pharmacor Pty Limited ABN 58 121 020 835

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.