Terbutaline appears to have survived the threat of losing its PBS subsidy, although funding for the inhaled therapy is likely to be restricted.

PBS scripts for the short-acting beta-2 agonist, which is delivered via a dry powder inhaler, have been declining for the past four years to about 90,000 in 2018.

Terbutaline is currently listed with an unrestricted benefit and is also available over the counter.

At its July meeting, the PBAC considered defunding terbutaline completely on the basis that salbutamol could serve its therapeutic purpose for all relevant PBS-listed indications.