What changed
A federal instrument effective 28 August 2026 amends the National Health (Highly Specialised Drugs Program) Special Arrangement 2021, made under the National Health Act 1953. The instrument makes two distinct changes to the Highly Specialised Drugs Program.
Removal of accreditation requirements for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C medicines
The instrument removes accreditation requirements that previously applied to prescribers of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C medicines under the Highly Specialised Drugs Program. The source does not specify which individual medicines are affected beyond this description.
Nurse practitioner prescribing of Ruxolitinib
The instrument allows nurse practitioners to prescribe Ruxolitinib - a medicine used for certain blood disorders and inflammatory conditions - under the Highly Specialised Drugs Program. This applies from 28 August 2026. The source does not specify which nurse practitioner settings or prescribing conditions apply beyond what is named in the instrument title.
Key actions
- Health practices that employ or work with nurse practitioners who prescribe under the Highly Specialised Drugs Program can check with their clinical lead or PBS authority whether Ruxolitinib prescribing is available to them from 28 August 2026.
- Health practices that previously held accreditation to prescribe Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C medicines under the Highly Specialised Drugs Program can confirm with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing whether that accreditation requirement has been removed for their specific medicines and what transition steps, if any, apply.
- The full instrument and explanatory statement are available at https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2026L01132.
This is a plain-English summary for information only, not legal or compliance advice. Always check the official source or consult a qualified professional.