PBS Data Distribution Project

PLEASE NOTE: ALL existing forms of PBS Schedule data currently distributed to vendors will cease after October 2024. The new PBS embargo API will be the only source of embargo data available. Subscribe to the PBS Developer email list to receive notifications of PBS Developer News.

20 March 2024

The Department of Health and Aged Care is modernising the consumption and data distribution model for the monthly PBS Schedule data, in order to:

  • Make the data easier to understand and use in software;
  • Improve data latency and data provision through best practice architecture; and
  • Improve accessibility to PBS Schedule data for the public and external stakeholders (e.g. software vendors).

PBS embargo and public data API - Production Release

The Department of Health and Aged Care has developed an API for the efficient distribution of PBS schedule data to authorised software vendors and developers. The API will replace all existing formats (XML and text files) of PBS schedule data distribution; however, the monthly publication of the PBS Schedule in PDF format will continue as per current practice.

As you may be aware, the Department has been conducting Beta testing of this API since October 2022, involving more than 20 testing participants over that period. This process has included consultation about, and testing and use of, the PBS Embargo Data API. We have supported the participants in this period through a range of methods including webinars, data models, data dictionaries and personalised email support.

Since November 2023, the API has been considered a production system. Software vendors are encouraged to commence the activities required to use the API in their software.

After extensive consultation with software developers, data consumers and government stakeholders, the Department has finalised the timeline for the transition, noting the need to provide sufficient time for a transition that ensures the integrity and ongoing sustainability of the PBS schedule data. 

The final timeline is as follows:

  • From October 2024 onwards, PBS schedule data will be made available only via the API. Existing formats will no longer be produced.

A version of the API for use by the general public is now available.

Access to the API for embargo users can be requested through the Health Products Portal (HPP) at https://business.health.gov.au/. Information on accessing the HPP, along with guidance on accessing the API for both embargo and public access, can be found on the HPP website.

Useful Links

PBS API - Previous Webinars

Webinar, Updated API version and transition Q&A

Webinar #1, Introduction to the PBS Data API

Webinar #2, Accessing the HPP and lodging a request

Webinar #3, Retrieving PBS embargo data via Postman

Webinar #4, PBS Data API data model

PBS Data Distribution, Software Vendor Working Group - Meeting #5 - 15 June 2021

PBS Data Distribution, Software Vendor Working Group - Meeting #4 - 9 February 2021

PBS Data Distribution, Software Vendor Working Group - Meeting #3 - 8 December 2020

PBS Data Distribution, Software Vendor Working Group - Meeting #2 - 10 November 2020

PBS Data Distribution, Software Vendor Working Group - Meeting #1 - 28 September 2020 

Modernising data access Webinar - 30 July 2020

Contact

For any questions in relation to the PBS Data Distribution Project and modernising data access, please contact: HPP.Support@Health.gov.au.

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