Macular disease drug costs

Cost of medication

The cost of the drug is in addition to consultation, diagnostic and injection fees. There are several drugs used to treat macular disease. These are administered as eye injections, also called intravitreal injections or IVI.

Lucentis, Eylea and Vabysmo 

The drugs Lucentis and Eylea are registered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and are subsidised by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the treatment of:

• wet (neovascular) age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
• diabetic macular oedema (DMO) and
• retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

The PBS subsidy for the drug Lucentis has been extended for the treatment of other macular conditions similar to wet AMD, where abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula. 

Beovu

Beovu is registered by the TGA for treatment of wet (neovascular) age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Beovu is reimbursed by the PBS only for patients who have persistent macular exudation despite at least six months of PBS-subsidised treatment with either Lucentis or Eylea.

Ozurdex

The drug Ozurdex is registered by the TGA and subsidised by the PBS for the treatment of: 

• diabetic macular oedema (DMO) and
• retinal vein occlusion (RVO). 

Avastin

Prior to January 2022, Avastin was used as an off-label medication to treat people with macular disease.

However, Avastin is no longer registered or sold in Australia. Please seek advice from your ophthalmologist if you were receiving Avastin injections.

Subsidies for Lucentis, Eylea, Vabysmo, Beovu and Ozurdex

Under the PBS, the subsidised cost of Lucentis, Eylea, Vabysmo, Beovu and Ozurdex in 2024 per prescription (one dose) is:  

• $7.70 (concession card holder) or 
• $31.60 (non-concession).  

The PBS Safety Net will apply once the costs in a calendar year for all PBS drugs exceed: 

• $277.20 (concession) or  
• $1,647.90 (non-concession).  

After reaching the PBS Safety Net, each subsequent PBS script will be free (concession) or $7.70 (non-concession) for the remainder of the calendar year.  

Get the fact sheet

Information is available to order in hard copy or download as a fact sheet below.