Australia Naltrexone PBS Check: Item 8370M and 2026 Co-payments
PBS item 8370M covers naltrexone 50 mg tablets; 2026 maximum co-payments are $25 general and $7.70 concession.
Key takeaways
- Product: naltrexone 50 mg tablets, pack of 30.
- PBS item: 8370M.
- 2026 general maximum: AUD $25.00.
- 2026 concession maximum: AUD $7.70.
- GP, specialist, laboratory, and dispensing circumstances can create separate costs.
What a PBS listing establishes
The PBS record establishes a subsidised product and prescribing framework. It does not guarantee that every pharmacy has stock, that every consultation is bulk-billed, or that the medicine is suitable for a particular person.
The amount paid can be lower than the maximum co-payment. Safety Net status and other rules also matter. Ask the pharmacy to price the actual prescription.
Prescribing and clinical assessment
Naltrexone is prescription-only. A clinician considers the treatment indication, current or recent opioid use, liver history, pregnancy, other medicines, and treatment goals. Starting it too soon after opioids can precipitate severe withdrawal.
Primary care may be an appropriate starting point, but same-day prescribing should never be promised: assessment, laboratory work, referral, or product availability may take additional time.
Costs to verify
| Cost component | What to ask |
|---|---|
| PBS medicine | Which patient category and current co-payment apply? |
| Consultation | Is the appointment bulk-billed or is there a gap? |
| Laboratory tests | Are tests needed and covered? |
| Specialist care | Is a referral required and what is the out-of-pocket fee? |
| Pharmacy | Is the listed product in stock or orderable? |