On 1 July 2023, OTP medicines became part of the Section 100 Highly Specialised Drugs Program (Community Access) arrangements. For further information, see Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) | Opioid Dependence Treatment Program which includes key information and fact sheets about the changes.
OTP medicines became part of the Section 100 Highly Specialised Drugs (HSD) Program (Community Access) arrangements. This means OTP medicines are dispensed in the same way as other community access Section 100 HSD Program medicines.
Every OTP service provider is required to pay wholesale suppliers for the OTP medicines up front and then be reimbursed by the Commonwealth once dispensed at a PBS-approved community pharmacy or a hospital pharmacy.
OTP medicines listed under the Section 100 HSD Program can be dispensed from a:
Under the HSD Program, the patient PBS co-payment for OTP medicines is consistent across most service settings in Australia and the medicine will be significantly more affordable for most people.
If the medicine will be reimbursed through the PBS, OTP prescribers will need to write new PBS s100 authority prescriptions.
Example handwritten PBS scripts that meet NSW requirements.
Example handwritten complex PBS scripts that meet NSW requirements.
Visit Services Australia for more information on the streamlined authority process. In these cases, OTP prescribers will also need a PBS prescriber number. Applications can be made through Services Australia. PBS stationery can also be ordered through Services Australia.
The OTP Transfer of Care Guide outlines the processes and regulatory requirements relating to a change of client prescriber or dosing point.
Please note that OTP is not included in the NSW Health Section 100 co-payment program.
A dedicated page has been developed for community pharmacists. Please visit Community pharmacists and the NSW Opioid Treatment Program.
The way OTP medicines are prescribed, ordered, dispensed, supplied and remunerated is just like other PBS medicines under the Section 100 HSD Program (Community Access).
For buprenorphine, the way OTP medicines are prescribed and remunerated is just like other PBS medicines under the Section 100 HSD Program (Community Access).
For methadone, NSW Health will purchase and provide supply outside of PBS arrangements.
Please visit Information for people on the Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) for information for patients.
