Friday, 11 September 2026
Specialist fee caps considered, Mepolizumab PBS-listed for COPD, NSW expands pharmacist prescribing
- 01
Government weighs specialist bulk-billing incentives and MBS fee caps
The Federal Government is consulting on measures to curb what it deems ‘excessive’ specialist fees, including stronger bulk-billing incentives, MBS fee caps, provider nudge letters and greater fee transparency. Australians spent $4.17 billion out of pocket on out-of-hospital specialist services in 2025, up 75.8% since 2019, according to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing consultation paper. Services in scope include specialist attendances, obstetrics, anaesthetics, pathology, diagnostic imaging, operations, radiotherapy and therapeutic nuclear medicine, as well as some procedural items delivered by GPs and other eligible providers. The paper says intervention could prompt providers to leave Medicare or reduce bulk billing, while an incentive model similar to general practice’s tripled bulk-billing incentive would require significantly more investment to achieve the same outcomes. The consultation is open until 19 October and will inform methods for identifying excessive fees and possible interventions to protect patients.
via RACGP newsGP · also covered by The Medical Republic
- 02
Mepolizumab gains PBS listing for severe eosinophilic COPD
Mepolizumab has been PBS listed as add-on therapy for adults with uncontrolled eosinophilic COPD despite optimised triple inhaler therapy. Eligibility requires blood eosinophils of at least 300 cells/µL, at least one severe or two moderate exacerbations in the previous 12 months, and at least one exacerbation while receiving optimised triple therapy. In the phase 3 MATINEE trial, mepolizumab reduced the annualised rate of moderate or severe exacerbations by 21% compared with placebo and prolonged the time to first exacerbation. The biologic should be prescribed by a specialist physician or by a healthcare professional in consultation with a specialist experienced in COPD, with response assessed principally through exacerbation frequency. It is the first biologic subsidised through the PBS for COPD, although respiratory specialist access may limit uptake, particularly in rural areas and parts of major cities.
- 03
NSW expands pharmacist prescribing into chronic disease management
NSW has confirmed an expansion of pharmacist prescribing into chronic disease management, including COPD, under a new trial covering 23 common health conditions. The start date is yet to be determined. From 1 January 2027, community pharmacists will also be able to administer all National Immunisation Program vaccines, although children needing catch-up vaccination or with complex medical conditions will be ineligible for pharmacist-led vaccination. The NSW government said the changes would free GP appointments for more complex cases and reduce hospital pressures. The RACGP, AMA NSW and RDAA NSW raised concerns about fragmented care, delayed or missed diagnoses, and the evidence supporting pharmacist management of chronic conditions.
- 04
Card surcharge ban to change GP practice payment fees
From 1 October, GP practices will no longer be able to charge patients a separate card processing fee. The Reserve Bank of Australia announced the removal of surcharging across all designated card networks, including EFTPOS, Mastercard and Visa, although businesses will continue to incur card acceptance costs. Payment terminals may automatically lose the option to add merchant fees, while businesses that impose card-only “handling” or “service” fees will face penalties. Practices may increase their overall fees, provided pricing does not discriminate by payment method.
- 05
FDA partially halts late-stage opakalim epilepsy trial
The US Food and Drug Administration placed a partial clinical hold on opakalim after requesting more data about a drug-related metabolite identified in rodent studies. Biohaven must pause recruitment into the late-stage RISE-2 epilepsy trial, although participants already enrolled may continue treatment. The hold does not affect the fully enrolled RISE-3 trial, which is still expected to report results later this year. Biohaven said more than 1,200 patients had received opakalim and that the drug had been well tolerated to date. Analysts said the RISE-2 delay could set back a study that may be necessary to support approval and that the request for further data adds regulatory risk.
via BioPharma Dive
- 06
Dementia Australia seeks GP input on primary care strategy
Dementia Australia is seeking GP feedback to shape an organisation-wide strategy aimed at strengthening its impact within primary care, including its work with GPs and practice nurses. Survey responses will inform priority actions for engaging with primary care. De-identified responses will also support advocacy for policy changes intended to improve the primary care experience of people living with dementia. The five-minute survey is open until 5.00 pm AEST on Wednesday 16 September.
via RACGP newsGP
MDDR is a news digest for medical professionals. It is not medical advice and should not be relied on for clinical decision-making.