Improved Community Access to HIV Antiretroviral Therapy and Clozapine (maintenance therapy only) under the PBS

From 1 July 2015, there will be improvements in the way Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidised HIV antiretroviral medicines and clozapine (for the ongoing treatment of schizophrenia) are prescribed, dispensed and accessed under the Highly Specialised Drugs Programme. These changes recognise that many people living with HIV or schizophrenia are being treated in the community. These streamlined arrangements will mean patients can access these medicines from the pharmacy of their choice, regardless of where these medicines were prescribed. Under current arrangements eligible community based prescribers and patients are required to be associated with a hospital to be able to access these medicines. From 1 July 2015, this will no longer be required.