Extended use of antibiotic for floodwater contaminated infections

The Acting Minister for Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, announced that the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listing of an important antibiotic will be extended, to increase the treatment options for people with skin infections caused by contact with contaminated flood water.

Mr Butler said that, in response to a Queensland Health request, doctors will be able to prescribe the PBS-subsidised antibiotic ciprofloxacin for the treatment of skin infections (wounds) associated with exposure to flood waters.

“Normally, ciprofloxacin is not available through the PBS for this kind of treatment, however, the Australian Government has temporarily extended the PBS listing of this medicine, following advice from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee,” he said.

Ciprofloxacin can now be prescribed under the PBS for the treatment of severe skin or soft tissue infections associated with wound management, where other antibiotics are ineffective or inappropriate.

“This change will help local GPs provide appropriate treatment to patients and, therefore, help to keep patients out of Emergency Departments.

“Concessional patients will only need to pay a maximum of $5.60 per prescription, and general patients no more than $34.30 for a medicine that can cost more than $60.00 (for the 750mg tablet).

“Ciprofloxacin is an important antibiotic and consequently there is a need to ensure that it is prescribed responsibly to minimise the risk of resistance developing to this treatment. Therefore clinicians will need authority from Medicare Australia to prescribe this medicine and the change to the listing will be time limited to 31 March 2011.”

Prescribers should consult the comprehensive guidelines for the prescribing of ciprofloxacin, which are available on www.pbs.gov.au and www.qld.gov.au/floods when considering this treatment option for wound management.

Patients should always consult their doctor for advice on the most suitable treatment option.

Mr Butler said that the PBS extension of this antibiotic is another practical way the Commonwealth Government has assisted the many Australians affected by floods.

“This builds on other health initiatives to assist flood victims, including ensuring that people who have lost their medicines or prescriptions can access short term emergency medicines without a script,” he said.

For more information about Commonwealth Government assistance for flood victims go to http://www.disasterassist.gov.au