Currently, the only adrenaline devices available on PBS in Australia are EpiPen® Jr and EpiPen®. At present, Anapen® is not available in Australia.
The first PBS authority prescription needs to be provided by or in consultation with an allergy specialist, respiratory physician or a paediatrician. This means a GP or nurse practitioner can write a first PBS prescription if they speak with one of these specialists who approve the need for an adrenaline device.
An initial PBS prescription may also be prescribed after you have been discharged from hospital or an emergency department after treatment with adrenaline for anaphylaxis.
A doctor (including a GP) or nurse practitioner can write follow-up prescriptions without consulting a specialist. The doctor/nurse practitioner will need to get an authority prescription from Services Australia every time. You can only purchase two in-date adrenaline devices through the PBS on authority prescription at any one time.
If you use one or both of your adrenaline devices you can replace them with another two devices using a PBS authority prescription, even if it has only been a short time since your last adrenaline device PBS authority prescription. You can also replace expired devices with another two devices using a PBS authority prescription.
Your doctor/nurse practitioner should provide an ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis (red in colour) with every prescription for an adrenaline device, even if your trigger allergens have not changed.
ASCIA Action Plans can be printed from the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) website.
The ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis is reviewed or updated when you see your doctor/nurse practitioner for a new adrenaline device prescription. The ASCIA Action Plan provides instructions on how to manage and treat an allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis.
NOTE: Adrenaline devices are not usually prescribed for people with medication allergies even if they have had previous anaphylaxis. This is because medications are much easier to avoid than food or insects, for example.