Weight loss injection drug Saxenda approved by PBS in Australia | The Advertiser.
Saxenda® (liraglutide) injection 3 mg is an injectable prescription medicine used for adults with excess weight (BMI ≥27) who also have weight-related medical problems or obesity (BMI ≥30), and children aged 12-17 years with a body weight above 132 pounds (60 kg) and obesity to help them lose weight and keep the weight ...
From 1 September 2023, many patients living with a chronic condition will be able to buy 2 months' worth (60-days') of common PBS-listed medicines for the price of a single prescription, rather than the current 1 month's supply.
Patient assistance programs: Saxenda's manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, offers a patient assistance program for people who cannot afford the medication. You must meet certain income and insurance requirements to be eligible for the program.
Can my NHS GP prescribe Saxenda®? NICE, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, advises against your NHS GP prescribing Saxenda®. It recommends that the NHS only prescribe the treatment through a 'specialist multidisciplinary tier 3 weight management service'.
According to the manufacturer, Saxenda has a list price of $1,349.02 for a 30-day supply. However, the cost of Saxenda varies for each patient depending on insurance plans, assistance programs, and more.
From 1 January 2023, you may pay up to $30.00 for most PBS medicines, or $7.30 if you have a concession card.
Concessional patients
The current concessional co-payment amount of $6.80 will increase to $7.30 from 1 January 2023, in line with annual CPI indexation. Concessional patients are already receiving benefits from reductions to the PBS Safety Net thresholds on 1 July 2022.
The maximum cost of a PBS prescription for general patients will reduce from $42.50 to $30.00 from 1 January 2023. This is a 29% reduction. This is the first time in 75 years the general co-payment under the PBS has fallen.
Saxenda is a prescription-only medication in Australia. It can be prescribed by any registered doctor to those who fit the prescribing criteria.
Liraglutide (Saxenda®) 6 mg/ml solution for injection in pre-filled pen is available for reimbursement under the Community Drug Schemes from 1st January 2023.
Wegovy is an injectable weight loss medication that is being prescribed by Australian health professionals and doctors.
Liraglutide (also called Saxenda) is a weight loss medicine that works by making you feel fuller and less hungry. It's taken as an injection once a day. Your doctor or nurse will show you how to take it. You can usually only take liraglutide if it's prescribed for you by a specialist weight management service.
How much is saxenda in Australia in Australia can vary depending on several factors, such as the place of purchase, the form of the medication, and if it is covered by private health insurance. As a general estimate, the cost of a single pen of Saxenda (3 ml) can range from AUD 250 to AUD 400.
Saxenda is a prescription-only weight loss treatment. You can speak to your GP about a possible referral to a weight loss service. Some NHS weight loss services are able to prescribe Saxenda.
Since 1 January 2023, a new discretionary discount was introduced. Pharmacists and dispensing medical practitioners can choose to offer the new discount for PBS medicines that cost more than $30 but less than $45.60 (plus any applicable premiums).
It usually resets at the beginning of each year, 1 January. On 1 January 2023, the PBS Safety Net thresholds were updated to: $262.80 for concession card holders. $1,563.50 for general patients.
NSW Pharmacy Trial for pharmacists prescribing medication
From July 2023, the trial will be expanded to allow eligible women to receive a resupply of their low-risk oral contraceptive pill (the pill) from participating pharmacists.
Through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, or PBS, Australian residents holding a Medicare card can access over 5,000 brands of PBS medicines. From the 1st of January 2023, if you spend $1,563.50 on PBS medicines in a year, you can qualify for the PBS Safety Net. This amount is known as the Safety Net threshold.
From 1 January 2023 for PBS prescriptions general patients (those without a concession card) can be charged up to $30.00.
In 2023, the standard PBS Safety Net threshold is $1,563.50 and $262.80 for those with a Pension, Concession or Veteran's card.
PhenQ is a cheaper and safer alternative to injectable weight loss drugs like Saxenda, which can have potential side effects. PhenQ is made from natural ingredients and does not require a prescription, making it a safer and more accessible weight management option for individuals looking to lose weight.
You might need up to 3 pens per month to start with, and up to 5 per month to maintain your dose of Saxenda. When you are first prescribed Saxenda, you will start with fewer pens as you will only be required to take a low dose.
They will decide if the medication is still the best option for you and is having the desired effect, however you should only continue over a period of 12 weeks if you demonstrate weight loss of 5% when used in conjunction with a calorie-controlled diet and regular exercise.