Australian Government - Department of Health and Ageing

Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC)

1134 - The Injection of Poly-L-lactic Acid (Sculptra) for the Treatment of Facial Lipoatrophy Caused by Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV Positive Patients

Reference No.

1134

Application NameThe Injection of Poly-L-lactic Acid (Sculptra) for the Treatment of Facial Lipoatrophy Caused by Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV Positive Patients
Date Received by MSAC Secretariat10 October 2008
Stage 1 - EligibilityEligible
Stage 2 - AssessmentCompleted
Stage 3 - Formulation of Advice to the MinisterMSAC considered this assessment on 4 December 2009
The Minister noted MSAC's advice 24 February 2010
Stage 4 - DecisionMSAC agreed that, based on the recommendations from PBAC regarding the prescription and injection of poly-L-lactic acid, a full MSAC technology assessment report is not required.

MSAC advised that two new MBS items be established for the administration of poly-L-lactic acid. MSAC further advised that the descriptors of both items should relate to the PBS restriction, with one relating to the initial injection and the other to all subsequent injections for a patient.

MSAC advised that the MBS fees should be set at $227.90 for the initial injection and $115.35 for all subsequent injections, and that the Medicare Safety Net provisions should not apply to charges above the MBS fee for these items.

MSAC advised that the Department should monitor utilisation and report back on charging trends after 12-18 months of listing.

Stage 5 - ImplementationIn Progess