Australian Herpes Management Forum

News: PBS requirements for authority to prescribe antiviral medication - August 2005 update

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The new edition of the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefit Schedule was released on 1 August 2005. Conditions for prescribing antiviral agents for the management of genital herpes remain unchanged.

Initial Genital Herpes

Moderate to severe initial genital herpes. Microbiological confirmation of diagnosis (viral culture, antigen detection or nucleic acid amplification by PCR) is desirable but need not delay treatment.

Episodic and Suppressive treatment

Episodic treatment or suppressive therapy of moderate to severe recurrent genital herpes. Microbiological confirmation of diagnosis (viral culture, antigen detection or nucleic acid amplification by PCR) is required but need not delay treatment. Pathology reports from accredited laboratories must be available for audit by the HIC.

More Information

For further information, see the PBS website.

• Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule: Valaciclovir
• Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule: Famciclovir
• Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule: Aciclovir

1 August 2005