<P> Drugs that have unrestricted benefit listing on the PBS are available for general use without being limited to particular indications . Such items are typically those whose use in clinical practice is widely accepted . Examples include methotrexate, prednisone and amoxycillin . </P> <P> Certain medications listed on the PBS are available only for specific therapeutic indications or to patients meeting specific criteria where the PBAC has deemed that the cost - benefit analysis is favourable only in those indications / patients . These are noted as "restricted benefits" on the Schedule . Medicare Australia places the onus of policing restricted benefits on the prescribers themselves and the pharmacists dispensing (unless the listing is also' Authority Required'). For example, the COX - 2 inhibitor celecoxib is listed on the PBS as a restricted benefit for the symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis . Prescribers using celecoxib for other indications are expected to indicate "non-PBS" on the prescription, and / or the pharmacist dispensing the celecoxib should charge the patient the full cost . </P> <P> Some PBS medications are restricted and require prior approval from Medicare Australia . These are noted as "authority required benefits" on the Schedule . Again, the PBAC has deemed that the cost - benefit analysis is favourable only under in specific indications / patients under certain circumstances . Authority may be obtained by telephone to Medicare Australia (known as "phone approval") or in writing from an authorised delegate of the Minister for Health . Prescriptions must be written on Authority Prescription Form, and the approval number must be noted on the prescription . Pharmacists cannot dispense the item as a pharmaceutical benefit unless it has been approved by Medicare Australia (indicated by the presence of the approval number). </P> <P> In obtaining a phone approval, the doctor simply identifies themselves (using their name and provider number), the patient (using their Medicare number), and when asked by the operator, confirms which of the conditions eligible for an authority the patient is suffering from . Medicare normally assumes the doctor's assertion that the condition exists as sufficient . For a written Authority however, evidence of diagnosis and patient eligibility criteria such a pathology test results are usually required . </P>

For a consumer to receive the pbs co-payment an item must be