A longstanding exemption that allowed certain GPs to initiate PBS-funded adrenaline treatment has reportedly been scrapped.

Under the revised rules, these GPs will only be able to initiate adrenaline under the PBS if it is done in consultation with an approved specialist or after a patient has been discharged from hospital or ED following an anaphylactic reaction.

It is unclear what prompted the change, given the exemptions have been in place for 15 years to improve access to adrenaline for patients in rural and remote areas.

GPs classified as ‘non-specialist prescribers’ of adrenaline received an email from the PBAC last month advising them the practice was not supported by the National Health Act 1953.