PBAC lifts tocilizumab shortage measures

Australia’s PBAC reversed the temporary COVID measures put in place in response to drug shortages during the COVID pandemic allowing patients to transition off tocilizumab during the shortage period to another biological disease modifying drug (bDMARD) claiming that “as of 15 July 2022, the supply shortage of tocilizumab has resolved”.  From 01 December 2022, these items will move to a ‘Supply Only’ state for six months (allowing patients to fill outstanding repeats on prescriptions), before being completely removed from the PBS.