Adolescents with atopic dermatitis look set to gain another option for systemic therapy on the PBS, following a decision by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.

The PBAC recommended the listing of lebrikizumab for adult and adolescent patients, stipulated as 12 years of age and older, with severe AD.

Per the committee’s advice, prescriptions would be issued via telephone or online authority and available as Ebglyss 250mg injection in a 2mL single-use autoinjector.

An IL-13 blocker, the agent was found to provide an overall clinical benefit similar to dupilumab and upadacitinib, in a context of clinical need for additional systemic treatments for severe AD, the PBAC said in an outcome statement (link here).

“The PBAC’s recommendation for listing was based on, among other matters, its assessment that the cost-effectiveness of lebrikizumab would be acceptable if it were cost-minimised to the lowest cost alternative therapy of dupilumab or upadacitinib,” it said.

New forms of ustekinumab supported

In other news from the PBAC’s March meeting, the committee came out in support of listing ustekinumab 45mg and 90mg pre-filled syringe and pre-filled pen under the same circumstances as the currently listed 45mg injection vial for the treatment of conditions including chronic plaque psoriasis.

The PBAC also recommended amendments to the current restrictions for the condition to align with changes in the quantity required for adult patients following the proposed new listings.

“The PBAC made its recommendation based on, among other matters, its assessment that the cost-effectiveness of ustekinumab would be acceptable if it were cost-minimised to the least costly alternative bDMARD for the relevant indications, based on previously advised equi-effective doses,” it said.

The committee added that equivalent strengths and forms of Stelara and Wezlana (e.g., Stelara PFS and Wezlana PFS, and Stelara and Wezlana injection vial) should be treated as equivalent for the purposes of substitution (i.e., ‘ a’ flagged in the schedule).

Meanwhile, the committee backed listings for Yuflyma-branded adalimumab in the forms of 80mg in 0.8mL PFP and PFS as biosimilar brands of Humira.