Friday, 3 July 2026
Nurse prescribers gain PBS authority, Intranasal adrenaline neffy added to PBS, PBS pricing dispute for MS therapies
- 01
Nurse prescribers gain authority to prescribe PBS medicines
Registered nurse prescribers in Australia gained the authority to prescribe Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines, marking a significant expansion of their scope of practice. This change aims to enhance access to medications, particularly in underserved areas and among vulnerable populations. Although the initiative is seen as a critical step towards improving patient care, the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association noted that no registered nurse prescribers are currently working in general practice. The first cohort of RN prescribers is expected to graduate mid-year, and clarity on which PBS medications they can prescribe is still pending.
- 02
Intranasal adrenaline neffy added to PBS for anaphylaxis
From 1 July 2026, the adrenaline-based nasal spray neffy will be available through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for treating anaphylaxis in adults and children aged four years or older who weigh at least 15kg. This decision follows the Therapeutic Goods Administration's approval earlier this year and aims to enhance access to a critical treatment for Australians at risk of anaphylaxis. Previously available only via private prescription, the PBS listing allows more patients to access neffy as a preferred emergency treatment option. Experts highlight the importance of this development, noting that it provides patients with more choices in managing anaphylaxis.
- 03
PBS pricing dispute threatens access to MS therapies
A pricing dispute regarding ocrelizumab and ofatumumab may lead to their delisting from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), jeopardising subsidised access for thousands of Australians with multiple sclerosis. Both therapies are critical for patients, with potential costs of up to $30,000 per treatment course if removed from the PBS. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) will review the situation next week and advise the federal health minister on the matter. Patient advocacy groups and pharmaceutical companies have urged the government to maintain access to these essential medications.
- 04
Flu Vaccination Rates Rise in Priority Groups Despite National Decline
Australia's overall flu vaccination rates have decreased by 0.6% this year, with 8.19 million doses administered from 1 March to 28 June 2026. However, vaccination rates among priority groups have increased, notably a 12.9% rise in children under five and a 7.3% increase among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, reaching a record high of 202,900 doses. Vaccinations for those aged 65 and over also saw a slight increase of around 1%. The trend shows a shift towards pharmacy-administered vaccinations, which rose 30.4%, while GP-administered doses fell by 17.4% since 2023.
- 05
Decline in Asthma Control and Rise in Urgent Care Needs
Recent national research indicates a decline in asthma control among Australian adults, with only 48% reporting well-controlled asthma in 2021, down from 54.4% in 2012. Concurrently, urgent healthcare visits for asthma have increased by 53%, with over one in three participants requiring urgent care in the past year. The study highlights ongoing reliance on short-acting beta2 agonists (SABA) and low adherence to inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy as significant barriers to improving asthma outcomes. Researchers advocate for the rapid implementation of the updated 2025 national asthma guidelines, which recommend anti-inflammatory reliever therapy to better manage asthma.
- 06
Terumo recalls stent-graft system linked to three deaths
Terumo has recalled specific models of its RelayPro Thoracic Stent-Graft System due to issues linked to three patient deaths. The recall affects approximately 7,000 units sold globally from May 2024 to March 2026, following reports that physicians could not properly separate the delivery system from the deployed stent-graft. This problem has been associated with four procedures outside Japan, resulting in three fatalities. Although Terumo has not established a direct causal relationship between the deaths and the device issues, the company suspended shipments in March and has now initiated a recall to address potential risks.
via MedTech Dive
MDDR is a news digest for medical professionals. It is not medical advice and should not be relied on for clinical decision-making.