PPIs targeted with new prescribing restrictions
Higher-strength drugs will need streamlined authority approval
Subsidised scripts for higher-strength PPIs will require streamlined authority approval from this month.
The restrictions are part of the PBAC’s ongoing attempt to discourage the use of higher doses of the common drugs.
About 95% of PPIs are prescribed at high or very high doses even though they are associated with an increased risk of morbidity, the PBAC says.
It has introduced a streamlined authority requirement for esomeprazole 20mg, lansoprazole 30mg, omeprazole 20mg, pantoprazole 40mg and rabeprazole 20mg.
