1:30min
From 1 September 2024, optometrists can offer patients a 60-day prescription for certain medications listed on the PBS, provided they are assessed to be stable on their current treatment and meet other eligibility criteria specific to each medicine. These include topical dry eye drops and glaucoma medications.
The 60-day dispensing policy may reduce both time spent in consultations to renew prescriptions for stable patients and visits to the pharmacy, as well as savings for the patient’s annual medication costs. Optometrists should use PBS’s online search function to search for specific eligibility criteria for each medication as well as other details such as the maximum number of packs and number of repeats. For each eye drop, look for the ‘60D’ and ‘OP’ logo.
In addition, a new streamlined authority code for unit-dose tear supplements (15559) has been introduced for specifically 60-day prescriptions. The 6172 and 4105 codes remain unchanged for one-month prescriptions. Optometrists still maintain discretion over what quantity of medicine is prescribed, meaning a one-month prescription can still be supplied where clinically appropriate.
For tear supplements, click on the red font ‘authority required (streamlined)’ associated with each medication on PBS’s search function to find the authority streamline code 15559.
In summary, there are now three streamlined authority codes available to optometrists for prescribing tear supplements for severe dry eye:
- 6172: Unit-dose tear supplements (30 days) e.g. Cationorm, Viscotears, Systane
- 4105: Hylo-fresh, Hylo-forte (30 days)
- 15559 (new from 1 Sept 2024): Unit-dose tear supplements (60 days) e.g. Hylo-fresh, Hylo-forte, Cationorm, Viscotears, Systane
- 4105 Hylo-fresh, Hylo-forte. Update: Streamline authority code for Hyloforte/Hylofresh was amended to ‘6172’ as of April 2025.
The 60-day dispensing policy will give twice the amount of their medication on a single prescription.
| Example: Latanoprost
Prior to 1 September 2024, optometrists only had the option of prescribing one bottle, with up to five repeats. I.e. maximum of about a 6-month supply. The issuing of a one-month prescription still remains an option. From 1 September 2024 onwards, optometrists now have the additional option to elect a 60-day prescription for patients with a stable ocular condition, in this example with stable glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The patient can now access two bottles at the first script with up to five repeats of two bottles. I.e. about a 12-month supply. If a 60-day prescription is issued, optometrists may wish to limit the number of repeats on the prescription to promote patient compliance with follow-up periods shorter than 12 months. |
Optometrists should use their clinical judgement to decide whether patients receiving PBS medicines are eligible for, or require, 60-day prescriptions.
For more information, visit: https://www.health.gov.au/cheaper-medicines.
We have updated this information within our popular annual PBS guide in the upcoming November 2024 issue of Optometry Connection.
Optometry Australia members can contact our Optometry Advisors if they have more questions.