As you may be aware, 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.
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. Please subscribe to the PBS Developer email list to receive notifications of PBS Developer News.
The department is working towards incorporating the AMTv4 data into the monthly PBS Schedule as soon as possible. It is important to note that associated changes to the PBS data will need to occur after the AMT release, as the PBS schedule data is finalised 6 weeks before the effective date. Vendors should be aware that this means that even after AMT v4 is made available, further PBS Schedule updates may continue to occur that do not incorporate AMT v4 data. The department will work to minimise the period of time until AMT v4 is incorporated in PBS Schedule data, noting that a gap may be unavoidable.
As per the current PBS schedule updates, the AMT data remains unchanged in the outputs until the file is loaded and reconciled and therefore any file has the potential to include some concepts that may be discontinued.
If the process is expected to be longer than expected, the department will look at providing documentation to assist software vendors during this transition period.
The department is in the process of responding to questions from software vendors to assist with the November PBS data release transition. The department will also continue to update existing user documentation and will include information in the monthly release notes covering explanations for commonly asked questions and any updates.
If you have already contacted HPP Support with a query and you have not heard back by Friday 19 July 2024, please email HPP.Support@health.gov.au again and we will endeavour to respond to your query as a priority.