As of Tuesday 1 March, Lagevrio (molnupiravir) has been listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Section 85 program as an Authority Required (Streamlined) benefit for patients with mild-moderate COVID-19 who have a high risk for developing severe disease, reducing the need for admission to hospital.

More information:  

• A copy of the PBAC outcome, published here
• The full PBS eligibility criteria made available here
• Lagevrio (molnupiravir) PBS fact sheet

Members should also refer to the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce recommendations regarding the use of Molnupiravir. 

Not all prescribing software may have been updated to allow for ePrescribing and prescriptions may be unable to be uploaded to the Prescription Exchange Service. A standard paper-based authority prescription may be supplied. 

As part of the COVID-19 National Health Plan, the National Health (COVID-19 Supply of Pharmaceutical Benefits) Special Arrangement 2020 (The Special Arrangement) was implemented as an interim measure while Electronic Prescribing capability was still being implemented. Due to the ongoing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Special Arrangement has been extended until 31 March 2022. Factsheets for prescribers are available on the Department of Health’s website: COVID-19 National Health Plan – prescriptions via telehealth – a guide for prescribers.

It is important that you update your prescribing software when appropriate to ensure the COVID-19 treatment item code changes are displayed. If you have updated your prescribing software and the item is still not appearing, you can handwrite the prescription and obtain the streamlined code from the PBS website.