New South Wales COVID-19 updates

NSW Health Message to community pharmacists (12 July 2021)

 

• Be aware the risk of COVID-19 transmission in Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool LGAs is very high
• Screen patrons for respiratory symptoms (Fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, body aches, sore or scratchy throat, headache, runny nose) prior to entering the premises
• Ensure anyone identified with respiratory symptoms does not enter the premises and is referred for urgent assessment and testing for COVID-19
• Be clear about what patrons need, preferably prior to patrons entering the premises
• Ensure there is no browsing by patrons

 

Community pharmacists in NSW can now accept image-based prescriptions received by email or fax from a medical practitioner or nurse practitioner.
Key points:

• Digital image can be sent only via email or fax
• Pharmacist must print and keep copy of prescription
• Repeats must be kept at pharmacy
• S4D and S8 (Controlled Drugs) excluded
• Applies to prescriptions issued by doctors and nurse practitioners
• Change is in place until at least 4 April 2021

 

Five new S4D Medicines

 

In a significant change, five additional substances identified have been added in Appendix D of the NSW Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008, including:

• pregabalin
• quetiapine
• tramadol
• zolpidem
• zopiclone

 

As with any S4D medicine, prescriptions for these medicines can only be dispensed for up to six months from the date of issue.

 

A list of all Schedule 4 Appendix D medicines is available on the NSW Health website.

 

PSA has been advised this includes prescriptions which were written before the date of this change. For example, a prescription for quetiapine dated 1 September 2019 is now expired.

 

NSW Health has prepared FAQs available here.