International Harmonisation of Ingredient Names -The PBS Schedule has been updated in the 1 August 2023 Schedule to show sole ingredient names for those PBS-listed medicines for which dual-labelling requirements ceased on 30 April 2023.

As a part of the IHIN reform, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) updated over 200 active ingredient names used in Australia to align with names used internationally. For detailed information about the transition to sole ingredient names, please refer to the TGA website.

While dual labelling of ingredients of most medicines listed in the PBS Schedule ceased on 1 August 2023, a small set of ingredient names will continue with dual labelling, consistent with TGA advice.  A table of drug names that changed in the PBS schedule on 1 August is available on the PBS website. 

PBS subsidy arrangements for cefalexin SSSI - The Department of Health and Aged Care has made amendments to the National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Determination 2021.

This is following the issuance of the Therapeutic Goods (Serious Scarcity and Substitutable Medicine) (cefalexin) Instrument 2023, which will allow pharmacists to supply different forms of oral cefalexin at equivalent doses for the duration of the shortage provided specified conditions are met. Further information about the substitution is available on the PBS Medicine Shortages page.