Therapeutic Goods (Serious Scarcity and Substitutable Medicine) (Tocilizumab) Instrument 2021

Administered by Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Legislation au F2021L01086 Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Therapeutic Goods (Serious Scarcity and Substitutable Medicine) (Tocilizumab) Instrument 2021

made under section 30EK of the

Therapeutic Goods Act 1989

Compilation No. 1

Compilation date: 21 December 2021

Includes amendments up to: F2021L01852

 

 

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Therapeutic Goods (Serious Scarcity and Substitutable Medicine) (Tocilizumab) Instrument 2021 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 21 December 2021 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Selfrepealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

 

 

 

 

Contents

1  Name

3  Authority

4  Definitions

5  Declaration of serious scarcity

6  Substitution of scarce medicine by pharmacists

7  Period instrument in force

Schedule 1—Scarce medicine, substitutable medicine, dose unit equivalence and specific permitted circumstances

Part 1—Scarce medicine: tocilizumab prefilled syringe

Part 2—Scarce medicine: tocilizumab prefilled pen

Schedule 2—General permitted circumstances

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

 

1  Name

  This instrument is the Therapeutic Goods (Serious Scarcity and Substitutable Medicine) (Tocilizumab) Instrument 2021.

3  Authority

  This instrument is made under section 30EK of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.

4  Definitions

Note: A number of expressions used in this instrument are defined in subsection 3(1) of the Act, including the following:

(a) medicine;

(b) Register;

(c) registration number.

  In this instrument:

Act means the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.

pharmacist has the same meaning as in subsection 30EK(6) of the Act.

prescriber means the person who:

 (a) is authorised under a law of a state or territory to prescribe medicine, and

 (b) prescribed the scarce medicine for the patient.

scarce medicine has the meaning given by section 5.

substitutable medicine has the meaning given by section 6.

5  Declaration of serious scarcity

  For paragraph 30EK(1)(a) of the Act, a serious scarcity of the medicine specified in column 2 of each item in the tables in Part 1 and Part 2 of Schedule 1 (the scarce medicine) across the whole of Australia is declared.

6  Substitution of scarce medicine by pharmacists

  For paragraph 30EK(1)(b) of the Act, in relation to each item mentioned in the tables in Part 1 and Part 2 of Schedule 1, the medicine specified in column 3 (the substitutable medicine) is permitted to be dispensed by a pharmacist in substitution for the scarce medicine specified in column 2, in the circumstances specified in:

 (a) column 5 of that item (the specific permitted circumstances); and

 (b) the table in Schedule 2 (the general permitted circumstances).

Note: Substitution is only permitted where both the specific permitted circumstances and the general permitted circumstances exist.

7  Period instrument in force

  This instrument remains in force until 30 April 2022.


Schedule 1—Scarce medicine, substitutable medicine, dose unit equivalence and specific permitted circumstances

Note: See sections 5 and 6.

Part 1—Scarce medicine: tocilizumab pre‑filled syringe

Scarce medicine, substitutable medicine, dose unit equivalence and specific permitted circumstances

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Column 5

Item

Scarce medicine

Substitutable medicine

Dose unit equivalence

Specific permitted circumstances

1

ACTEMRA tocilizumab (rch) 162 mg/0.9 mL solution for injection prefilled syringe, registration number 234034

ACTEMRA tocilizumab (rch) 162 mg/0.9 mL solution for injection prefilled pen, ACTPen Autoinjector, registration number 296808

one prefilled pen of the substitutable medicine containing tocilizumab (rch) 162 mg/0.9 mL solution is equivalent to one prefilled syringe of the scarce medicine containing tocilizumab (rch) 162 mg/0.9 mL solution

all of the following:

(a) the patient is at least 18 years of age;

(b) the pharmacist has advised the patient or person acting on behalf of the patient:

(i) to obtain instructions from the prescriber, or a general practitioner or rheumatology nurse, in relation to the administration of the substitutable medicine; and

(ii) of the number of dose units of substitutable medicine that must be taken by the patient in substitution for the prescribed dose of scarce medicine, based on the dose unit equivalence specified in column 4


Part 2—Scarce medicine: tocilizumab pre‑filled pen

Scarce medicine, substitutable medicine, dose unit equivalence and specific permitted circumstances

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Column 4

Column 5

Item

Scarce medicine

Substitutable medicine

Dose unit equivalence

Specific permitted circumstances

1

ACTEMRA tocilizumab (rch) 162 mg/0.9 mL solution for injection prefilled pen, ACTPen Autoinjector, registration number 296808

ACTEMRA tocilizumab (rch) 162 mg/0.9 mL solution for injection prefilled syringe, registration number 234034

one pre-filled syringe of the substitutable medicine containing tocilizumab (rch) 162 mg/0.9 mL solution is equivalent to one prefilled pen of the scarce medicine containing tocilizumab (rch) 162 mg/0.9 mL solution

all of the following:

(a) the patient is at least 18 years of age;

(b) the pharmacist has advised the patient or person acting on behalf of the patient:

(i) to obtain instructions from the prescriber, or a general practitioner or rheumatology nurse, in relation to the administration of the substitutable medicine; and

(ii) of the number of dose units of substitutable medicine that must be taken by the patient in substitution for the prescribed dose of scarce medicine, based on the dose unit equivalence specified in column 4


Schedule 2—General permitted circumstances

Note: See section 6.

General permitted circumstances

Column 1

Column 2

Item

Circumstances

1

the patient, or person acting on behalf of the patient, has evidence of a valid prescription for the scarce medicine, unless otherwise permitted by law

2

the pharmacist does not have access to the scarce medicine

3

the prescriber has not indicated on the prescription for the scarce medicine that substitution is not permitted

4

the pharmacist has exercised professional judgement and determined that the patient is suitable to receive the substitutable medicine

5

the amount of substitutable medicine dispensed would result in the patient receiving sufficient medicine to ensure an equivalent dosage regimen and duration to that prescribed in relation to the scarce medicine

6

the patient, or person acting on behalf of the patient, has consented to receiving the substitutable medicine

7

the pharmacist makes a record of dispensing the substitutable medicine in substitution of the scarce medicine at the time of dispensing

8

the pharmacist has an established procedure to notify the prescriber of the substitution at the time of, or as soon as practical after, dispensing the substitutable medicine

 


Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe the amendment to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, the amendment is incorporated into the compiled law and the abbreviation “(md)” added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the abbreviation “(md not incorp)” is added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

 

ad = added or inserted

o = order(s)

am = amended

Ord = Ordinance

amdt = amendment

orig = original

c = clause(s)

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

C[x] = Compilation No. x

    /subsubparagraph(s)

Ch = Chapter(s)

pres = present

def = definition(s)

prev = previous

Dict = Dictionary

(prev…) = previously

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

Pt = Part(s)

Div = Division(s)

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

reloc = relocated

    effect

renum = renumbered

F = Federal Register of Legislation

rep = repealed

gaz = gazette

rs = repealed and substituted

LA = Legislation Act 2003

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

Sch = Schedule(s)

(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

    effect

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

SR = Statutory Rules

    cannot be given effect

SubCh = SubChapter(s)

mod = modified/modification

SubPt = Subpart(s)

No. = Number(s)

underlining = whole or part not

 

    commenced or to be commenced

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Name

Registration

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Therapeutic Goods (Serious Scarcity and Substitutable Medicine) (Tocilizumab) Instrument 2021

06 Aug 2021

(F2021L01086)

07 Aug 2021

Therapeutic Goods (Serious Scarcity and Substitutable Medicine) (Tocilizumab) Amendment Instrument 2021

20 Dec 2021

(F2021L01852)

21 Dec 2021


Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

s 2.....................

rep LA s 48D

s 7.....................

am F2021L01852

 

 

Overview

The Therapeutic Goods (Serious Scarcity and Substitutable Medicine) (Tocilizumab) Instrument 2021, made under section 30EK of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, was enacted to address the serious scarcity of tocilizumab, a crucial therapeutic medicine. The instrument was introduced to manage the scarcity by allowing pharmacists to dispense substitutable medicines under specific circumstances. The Therapeutic Goods Administration, as the enacting body, aimed to ensure that patients continued to receive necessary treatment despite the scarcity of specific formulations of tocilizumab. The instrument was in effect until 30 April 2022, providing a temporary measure to address the identified gap in the availability of the medicine.

Scope and Application

The Therapeutic Goods (Serious Scarcity and Substitutable Medicine) (Tocilizumab) Instrument 2021 applies to pharmacists and patients who require tocilizumab, a specific therapeutic good, in Australia. The instrument is designed to address a declared serious scarcity of tocilizumab pre-filled syringes and pre-filled pens, enabling the substitution of these medicines with equivalent alternatives under certain conditions. It applies to the whole of Australia and is effective until 30 April 2022. The instrument provides for specific permitted circumstances under which pharmacists can substitute scarce tocilizumab with an equivalent substitutable medicine, such as ensuring the patient is aged 18 years or older and obtaining their consent. The substitution is also contingent on the general permitted circumstances, including the existence of a valid prescription, the pharmacist's professional judgement that the patient is suitable for the substitutable medicine, and the recording of the substitution event. The instrument is made under section 30EK of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 and remains in force until specified, with the ability to extend or restrict application through subordinate instruments if necessary.

Key Provisions

The Therapeutic Goods (Serious Scarcity and Substitutable Medicine) (Tocilizumab) Instrument 2021, made under section 30EK of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, declares a serious scarcity of tocilizumab pre-filled syringes and pre-filled pens across Australia, as outlined in Schedule 1. This instrument allows pharmacists to dispense substitutable tocilizumab medicines under specific and general circumstances. The instrument is effective until 30 April 2022. Under this instrument, pharmacists can substitute tocilizumab pre-filled pens for pre-filled syringes, and vice versa, if certain conditions are met. The specific permitted circumstances include the patient being at least 18 years old, the pharmacist advising the patient to seek instructions from the prescriber or a general practitioner or rheumatology nurse, and providing information on the number of dose units to be taken based on equivalence. General permitted circumstances include having a valid prescription, the prescriber not prohibiting substitution, and the patient consenting to the substitution, among other conditions. Entities governed by this instrument, primarily pharmacists, must adhere to the outlined conditions for substitution. This includes ensuring that the patient is informed and consents to the substitution, advising the patient on the administration of the substitutable medicine, and maintaining records of the substitution. Pharmacists must also notify the prescriber of the substitution as soon as practical. Failure to comply with these obligations could result in legal consequences, although specific penalties are not detailed in the instrument. The Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 may provide further guidance on penalties for non-compliance with therapeutic goods regulations. The Therapeutic Goods (Serious Scarcity and Substitutable Medicine) (Tocilizumab) Instrument 2021 does not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, but breaches of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 can result in significant penalties. Offences under the Act may incur fines of up to $222,200 for individuals and $1,111,000 for corporations, depending on the severity of the breach. Additionally, civil and criminal penalties may apply, and the Act allows for prosecution in federal courts. The instrument’s focus on ensuring that patients receive appropriate therapeutic alternatives during a period of scarcity underscores the importance of adherence to the outlined provisions to maintain public health and safety.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.