Summary of COVID-19 regulatory changes
This information was last updated Wednesday 17 February 2021
To assist pharmacists in navigating the significant number of recent regulatory changes, the PSA has prepared the following summary of information relevant to each jurisdiction. The tables below provide a summary of the arrangements that are in place to enable pharmacists to support continuity of treatment (medicines) for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
PSA has prepared this information using the best and most up-to-date information that we have received. This is rapidly and constantly changing. We are in constant contact with both the Australian Government and the State and Territory Governments and will update this information regularly.
Pharmacists are recommended to read this information as a guide only and in conjunction with specific laws in each jurisdiction.

Digital image prescriptions are the paperless transfer of prescriptions from a prescriber to a pharmacist to support telehealth consultations during COVID-19.
This temporary measure during COVID-19 is supported through existing territory regulation, temporary state regulatory amendments, public health emergency orders and a PBS Special Arrangement.
Digital image prescriptions are NOT examples of electronic prescriptions or electronic prescribing.
Electronic prescribing information is available at PSA’s dedicated electronic prescriptions web page. Find out more at www.psa.org.au/ep
Prescriptions ineligible for supply as digital image prescriptions may be able to be supplied under other existing state and territory regulations – see phone/fax order by prescriber.
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Requirement for supply under PBS – Commonwealth legislation | Legality to supply – ACT regulation | |
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Effective to | 31 March 2021 | Ongoing under existing ACT legislation |
Effective from | 20 March 2020 | N/A |
Prescriber |
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For faxed prescriptions – The original written paper-prescription must be sent to the patient’s pharmacy within 24 hours of sending the faxed prescription |
Pharmacist |
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(Refer to requirements under Commonwealth Special Arrangement)
June 2020 amendment to faxed prescription requirements
Sections 31A and 120A have been added to the Regulation to exempt the requirement to send or receive the original of a faxed prescription where the supply is made for a medicine in accordance with a Commonwealth special arrangement that requires prescribers to retain the original.
The Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) interim arrangements for telehealth consultations during COVID-19 are an example of where this applies.
This means that prescribers do not need to send the original of a faxed prescription to a pharmacist where it is prescribed during a telehealth consultation while the PBS special arrangements is in place. Pharmacists are also not obligated to receive the original in these circumstances |
Eligible medicines | Excludes medicines in S8 and S4 + Appendix D in the Poisons Standard*
*Unless state and territory legislation allows supply via a digital image |
Pharmacists may dispense and claim PBS items from a digital image of a prescription sent through by the prescriber (including S8 medicines, and S4 + Appendix D medicines as supported by existing ACT legislation) This includes for faxed prescriptions. |
Legislative instrument/s | ||
Relevant resources |
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Requirement for supply under PBS – Commonwealth legislation | Legality to supply – NSW regulation | |
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Effective to | 31 March 2021 | 4 April 2021 |
Effective from | 20 March 2020 | 17 April 2020 |
Prescriber |
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Pharmacist |
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Eligible medicines | Excludes medicines in S8 and S4 + Appendix D in the Poisons Standard*
*Unless state and territory legislation allows supply via a digital image |
Excludes:
Schedule 8 medicines and drug classes:
Schedule 4 Appendix D medicines and drug classes
|
Legislative instrument/s | ||
Relevant resources |
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Requirement for supply under PBS – Commonwealth legislation | Legality to supply – NT regulation | |
---|---|---|
Effective to | 31 March 2021 | Ongoing under existing NT legislation |
Effective from | 20 March 2020 | N/A |
Prescriber |
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(Refer to requirements under Commonwealth Special Arrangement)
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Pharmacist |
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(Refer to requirements under Commonwealth Special Arrangement)
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Eligible medicines | Excludes medicines in S8 and S4 + Appendix D in the Poisons Standard*
*Unless state and territory legislation allows supply via a digital image |
S8 and S4Ds medicines are excluded from the temporary PBS image based prescription measure |
Legislative instrument/s | Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2012 | |
Relevant resources | Pharmacy information notice – May 2020 |
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Requirement for supply under PBS – Commonwealth legislation | Legality to supply – QLD regulation | |
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Effective to | 31 March 2021 | 31 March 2021 |
Effective from | 20 March 2020 | 26 March 2020 (retrospective) |
Prescriber |
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(Refer to requirements under Commonwealth Special Arrangement)
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Pharmacist |
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(Refer to requirements under Commonwealth Special Arrangement)
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Eligible medicines | Excludes medicines in S8 and S4 + Appendix D in the Poisons Standard*
*Unless state and territory legislation allows supply via a digital image |
Pharmacists may dispense and claim PBS items from a digital image of a prescription sent through by the prescriber (including S8s and restricted drugs, noting hardcopy requirements outlined above) |
Legislative instrument/s | ||
Relevant resources |
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Requirement for supply under PBS – Commonwealth legislation | Legality to supply – SA regulation | |
---|---|---|
Effective to | 31 March 2021 | 31 March 2021 |
Effective from | 20 March 2020 | 27 March 2020 |
Prescriber |
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(Refer to requirements under Commonwealth Special Arrangement) – see dot points at left
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Pharmacist |
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Pharmacists can also access additional advice from the Office of the Chief Pharmacist. |
Eligible medicines | Excludes medicines in S8 and S4 + Appendix D in the Poisons Standard*
*Unless state and territory legislation allows supply via a digital image |
(Refer to requirements under Commonwealth Special Arrangement) – i.e. S8s and S4Ds cannot be supplied on a digital image of a prescription |
Legislative instrument/s | ||
Relevant resources |
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Requirement for supply under PBS – Commonwealth legislation | Legality to supply – TAS regulation | |
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Effective to | 31 March 2021 | 31 March 2021 |
Effective from | 20 March 2020 | 15 April 2020 |
Prescriber |
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More information in the fact sheet for prescribers |
Pharmacist |
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Pharmacists can access additional information in the fact sheet |
Eligible medicines | Excludes medicines in S8 and S4 + Appendix D in the Poisons Standard*
*Unless state and territory legislation allows supply via a digital image |
Excludes (i.e. cannot be supplied on a digital image of a prescription) S8s and S4 declared restricted medicines as outlined in the Poisons (Declared Restricted Substances) Order 2017 |
Legislative instrument/s | Poisons Regulations 2018 | |
Relevant resources |
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Requirement for supply under PBS – Commonwealth legislation | Legality to supply – VIC regulation | |
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Effective to | 31 March 2021 | 27 March 2021 |
Effective from | 20 March 2020 | 7 April 2020 |
Prescriber |
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(#See Eligible medicines section below)
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Pharmacist |
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Must record that supply was made under the public health emergency order (PHEO #4) |
Eligible medicines | Excludes medicines in S8 and S4 + Appendix D in the Poisons Standard*
*Unless state and territory legislation allows supply via a digital image |
Excludes drugs of dependence (i.e. all S8 medicines, benzodiazepines anabolic steroids, pseudoephedrine and phentermine but not tramadol, pregabalin, gabapentin, z-drugs, retinoids, reproductive medicines or S4 codeine preparations)
#Pharmacists must confirm that a prescriber is authorised to prescribe the medicine as a pharmaceutical benefit |
Legislative instrument/s | ||
Relevant resources |
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Requirement for supply under PBS – Commonwealth legislation | Legality to supply – WA regulation | |
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Effective to | 31 March 2021 | 31 March 2021 |
Effective from | 20 March 2020 | N/A |
Prescriber |
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In WA, prescribers continue to be able to direct a pharmacist to supply a S4 or S8 medicine, in an emergency, including via a digital image (which is classified as ‘other electronic means’)
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Pharmacist |
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Eligible medicines | Excludes medicines in S8 and S4 + Appendix D in the Poisons Standard*
*Unless state and territory legislation allows supply via a digital image |
Pharmacists may dispense and claim PBS items from a digital image of a prescription sent through by the prescriber (including S8s, noting hardcopy requirements outlined above) |
Legislative instrument/s | ||
Relevant resources | Information for pharmacists and prescribers |
Continued dispensing is the supply of a standard quantity (usually 1 month’s supply) of an essential Prescription Only Medicines (S4) without a prescription in an emergency.
PBS Expanded Continued Dispensing and state/territory regulation have enabled supply of nearly all Prescription Only Medicines via this temporary measure during COVID-19; subject to professional and regulatory requirements.
Prior to COVID-19, PBS Continued Dispensing was limited to oral contraceptives and statins.
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Requirement for supply under PBS – Commonwealth legislation | Legality to supply – ACT regulation | |
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Effective to | 31 March 2021 | Duration of declared emergency |
Summary of conditions | An eligible PBS medicine may be supplied to a patient without a prescription if:
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Eligible medicines |
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Excludes: anabolic steroids, designated appendix D medicines, benzodiazepines, S8s |
Quantity | Same quantity or number of units of the medicine that was supplied on the last prescription (including an increased quantity) |
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Record and communication |
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Must record supply and label medicine –as outlined in the Standing Order and information sheet |
Subsidy | Eligible medicines are subsidised by the PBS; usual copayment applies | Non-PBS medicines are not subsidised under the PBS |
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Requirement for supply under PBS – Commonwealth legislation | Legality to supply – NSW regulation | |
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Effective to | 31 March 2021 | 31 March 2021 |
Summary of conditions | An eligible PBS medicine may be supplied to a patient without a prescription if:
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Eligible medicines |
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Excludes: S4 + Appendix D medicines, S8s |
Quantity | Same quantity or number of units of the medicine that was supplied on the last prescription (including an increased quantity) |
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Record and communication |
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Must record supply – as outlined here |
Subsidy | Eligible medicines are subsidised by the PBS; usual copayment applies | Non-PBS medicines are not subsidised under the PBS |
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Requirement for supply under PBS – Commonwealth legislation | Legality to supply – NT regulation | |
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Effective to | 31 March 2021 | As per Commonwealth instrument |
Summary of conditions | An eligible PBS medicine may be supplied to a patient without a prescription if:
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Commonwealth instrument automatically adopted – Continued Dispensing fully enabled under the Act (see also information sheet) |
Eligible medicines |
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Quantity | Same quantity or number of units of the medicine that was supplied on the last prescription (including an increased quantity) | |
Record and communication |
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Subsidy | Eligible medicines are subsidised by the PBS; usual copayment applies | Privately funded and non-PBS prescriptions are not permitted under this measure |
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Requirement for supply under PBS – Commonwealth legislation | Legality to supply – QLD regulation | |
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Effective to | 31 March 2021 | Duration of declared public health emergency in relation to an infectious medical condition |
Summary of conditions | An eligible PBS medicine may be supplied to a patient without a prescription if:
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Eligible medicines |
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Restricted drugs (S4 medicines), other than those in the DTP Appendix 1 |
Quantity | Same quantity or number of units of the medicine that was supplied on the last prescription (including an increased quantity) |
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Record and communication |
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Subsidy | Eligible medicines are subsidised by the PBS; usual copayment applies | Non-PBS medicines are not subsidised under the PBS |
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Requirement for supply under PBS – Commonwealth legislation | Legality to supply – SA regulation | |
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Effective to | 31 March 2021 | Duration of declared public health emergency |
Summary of conditions | An eligible PBS medicine may be supplied to a patient without a prescription if:
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Eligible medicines |
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Excludes: S8s (including opioids, some benzodiazepines and stimulants), medicines restricted to specialist prescribing including those in Reg 19 of Poisons Regulations and Appendix D of Poisons Standard (these include certain fertility and cancer drugs and hydroxychloroquine) |
Quantity | Same quantity or number of units of the medicine that was supplied on the last prescription (including an increased quantity) |
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Record and communication |
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Must record the information required under the regulations for emergency supply of S4s |
Subsidy | Eligible medicines are subsidised by the PBS; usual copayment applies | Non-PBS medicines are not subsidised under the PBS |
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Requirement for supply under PBS – Commonwealth legislation | Legality to supply – TAS regulation | |
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Effective to | 31 March 2021 | |
Summary of conditions | An eligible PBS medicine may be supplied to a patient without a prescription if:
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Eligible medicines |
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Excludes: psychotropic substances |
Quantity | Same quantity or number of units of the medicine that was supplied on the last prescription (including an increased quantity) |
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Record and communication |
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Must record and label in accordance with the Regulations |
Subsidy | Eligible medicines are subsidised by the PBS; usual copayment applies | Non-PBS medicines are not subsidised under the PBS |
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Requirement for supply under PBS – Commonwealth legislation | Legality to supply – VIC regulation | |
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Effective to | 31 March 2021 | 27 March 2021 |
Summary of conditions | An eligible PBS medicine may be supplied to a patient without a prescription if:
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Eligible medicines |
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Excludes: S8s |
Quantity | Same quantity or number of units of the medicine that was supplied on the last prescription (including an increased quantity) |
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Record and communication |
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Must record as outlined in the advice, including that supply was made under COVID-19 public health emergency order (PHEO #2) |
Subsidy | Eligible medicines are subsidised by the PBS; usual copayment applies | Non-PBS medicines are not subsidised under the PBS |
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Requirement for supply under PBS – Commonwealth legislation | Legality to supply – WA regulation | |
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Effective to | 31 March 2021 | Duration of declared Public Health State of Emergency |
Summary of conditions | An eligible PBS medicine may be supplied to a patient without a prescription if:
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Eligible medicines |
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Excludes: S8s |
Quantity | Same quantity or number of units of the medicine that was supplied on the last prescription (including an increased quantity) |
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Record and communication |
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Must record as outlined in the advice and label as for any dispensed medicine |
Subsidy | Eligible medicines are subsidised by the PBS; usual copayment applies | Non-PBS medicines are not subsidised under the PBS |
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Therapeutic substitution is the supply of alternative strengths, quantities or dose forms of a medicine by a pharmacist without prior approval from the prescriber. This is to ensure continuity of therapy during a verified national shortage of the prescribed medicine.
The initiative is being led by the federal Department of Health through the TGA, and is subject to an agreed protocol, and the publication of a Serious Shortage Substitution Notice (SSSN) on the TGA website.
The following Serious Shortage Medicine Substitution Notices have been issued by the TGA and are currently active:
Issue date | TGA announcement | Medicine in shortage | TGA issued notices | Duration of notice | Notice reference number |
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16 February 2021 | Shortage of sertraline tablets (multiple strengths) | sertraline (as hydrochloride) multiple strengths, multiple brands | SSSN 21-03: Sertraline (as hydrochloride) film coated tablets blister pack – multiple strengths | 16 February 2021 to 30 June 2021 | SSSN 21-03 |
18 December 2020 | Shortage of Estradot (estradiol) hormone replacement therapy patches (multiple strengths) | ESTRADOT 75 estradiol 75 microgram transdermal drug delivery system sachet (ARTG 97565) | SSSN 21-02: ESTRADOT 75 estradiol 75 microgram transdermal drug delivery system sachet | 01 January 2021 to 30 June 2021 | SSSN 21-02 |
18 December 2020 | Shortage of Estradot (estradiol) hormone replacement therapy patches (multiple strengths) | ESTRADOT 25 estradiol 25 microgram transdermal drug delivery system sachet (ARTG 97562) | SSSN 21-01: ESTRADOT 25 estradiol 25 microgram transdermal drug delivery system sachet | 01 January 2021 to 30 June 2021 | SSSN 21-01 |
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Serious Shortage Medicine Substitution Notices – TGA measure | Legality to supply – ACT regulation | |
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Effective to/for | The duration specified in each Serious Shortage Substitution Notice | |
Requirements |
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All SSSNs are given automatic effect for the duration of the declared emergency as per the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods (Temporary Authority – Supply of a substitute medicine by pharmacists) CHO Standing Order 2020 (No 3) |
Pharmacist |
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Subsidy | Private supply (not PBS subsidised) | |
Legislative instrument | N/A |
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Relevant resources |
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For best viewing experience on a mobile we recommend using landscape mode.
Serious Shortage Medicine Substitution Notices – TGA measure | Legality to supply – NSW regulation | |
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Effective to/for | The duration specified in each Serious Shortage Substitution Notice | These regulations will expire 2 April 2021 |
Requirements |
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As outlined in the amendment, a NSW-specific order must be published authorising the supply of a restricted substance (a short supply medicine or a substitute medicine) by a pharmacist in the event of a shortage.
An Authorisation Order will specify which exact product may be substituted for a prescribed products and outline specific conditions that apply for the supply (substitution) |
Pharmacist |
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Forms of supply (substitution) permitted and specified may include:
The pharmacist must record full details of the supply in the pharmacy’s dispensing record system, including the medicine form prescribed and the medicine form/s which was/were supplied in its place
The pharmacist must annotate the prescription with details of the form/s of the medicine supplied
Appropriate instructions about the correct dosage must be provided to enable patient to achieve the same (or substantially same) result |
Subsidy | Private supply (not PBS subsidised) | |
Legislative instrument | N/A |
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Relevant resources |
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Serious Shortage Medicine Substitution Notices – TGA measure | Legality to supply – NT regulation | |
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Effective to/for | The duration specified in each Serious Shortage Substitution Notice | |
Requirements |
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Pharmacist |
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Subsidy | Private supply (not PBS subsidised) | |
Legislative instrument | N/A |
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Relevant resources |
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Pharmacy information notice – May 2020 |
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Serious Shortage Medicine Substitution Notices – TGA measure | Legality to supply – QLD regulation | |
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Effective to/for | The duration specified in each Serious Shortage Substitution Notice | Duration of declared public health emergency in relation to an infectious medical condition |
Requirements |
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Pharmacist |
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If unable to obtain a person’s regular S4 medicine, and has made reasonable effort to contact the prescriber, may substitute for alternative S4 medicine:
For each episode of supply:
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Subsidy | Private supply (not PBS subsidised) | |
Legislative instrument | N/A |
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Relevant resources |
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Serious Shortage Medicine Substitution Notices – TGA measure | Legality to supply – SA regulation | |
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Effective to/for | The duration specified in each Serious Shortage Substitution Notice | Duration of the Major Emergency (COVID-19 pandemic) in South Australia |
Requirements |
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A SSSN must be given effect by a notice in the Gazette to modify the operation of sections 18 (deals with prescribing, supply and sale and administration of a s4 prescription drug), 26 or 31 of Controlled Substances Act 1984 for the duration of the declaration of a major emergency |
Pharmacist |
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All of the following conditions must be met:
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Subsidy | Private supply (not PBS subsidised) | |
Legislative instrument | N/A |
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Relevant resources |
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Serious Shortage Medicine Substitution Notices – TGA measure | Legality to supply – TAS regulation | |
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Effective to/for | The duration specified in each Serious Shortage Substitution Notice | |
Requirements |
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As per Tasmanian DHHS advice, Regulations 45 and 51 of the Tasmanian Poisons Regulations 2018 are silent on the practice of a pharmacist substituting the strength or formulation of a Schedule 4 substance in the event of a serious product shortage |
Pharmacist |
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Where supply of an alternative is made as per the TGA Notice, the pharmacist must communicate the change to the prescriber after the supply
Where the prescribed S4 substance is not available in any product formulation or strength:
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Subsidy | Private supply (not PBS subsidised) | |
Legislative instrument | N/A |
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Relevant resources |
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For best viewing experience on a mobile we recommend using landscape mode.
Serious Shortage Medicine Substitution Notices – TGA measure | Legality to supply – VIC regulation | |
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Effective to/for | The duration specified in each Serious Shortage Substitution Notice | |
Requirements |
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Pharmacist |
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Subsidy | Private supply (not PBS subsidised) | |
Legislative instrument | N/A |
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Relevant resources |
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For best viewing experience on a mobile we recommend using landscape mode.
Serious Shortage Medicine Substitution Notices – TGA measure | Legality to supply – WA regulation | |
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Effective to/for | The duration specified in each Serious Shortage Substitution Notice | |
Requirements |
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Where the TGA has issued a Notice with a substitution protocol, the WA Department of Health may issue a corresponding Structured Administration and Supply Arrangement (SASA) to authorise the substitution of an alternative medicine, during a serious shortage, subject to the criteria and conditions in the SASA. |
Pharmacist |
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The pharmacist must be satisfied that the supply is required urgently, it is impractical for the patient to return to the prescriber for an alternative prescription, and that the substitution is safe and suitable for the patient’s specific circumstances.
A record of the substitution must be made:
This should clearly state that a substitution occurred and include the name, strength, dose and quantity of the medicine that was actually supplied |
Subsidy | Private supply (not PBS subsidised) | |
Legislative instrument | N/A |
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Relevant resources |
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A phone/fax order is the communication of a prescription from a prescriber to a pharmacist via phone, fax or email (where permitted). The prescriber is then responsible for immediately dispatching the original hard-copy prescription to the supplying pharmacist.
Phone/fax orders, often referred to as ‘owing prescriptions’, must generally be reconciled (‘owing mark off’) before repeats can be issued or the item claimed through the PBS.
These permanent provisions existed within state/territory regulation, and within PBS regulation, prior to COVID-19. Compliance with the requirements of these provisions continues to be relevant during COVID-19 for prescriptions not prescribed as, or eligible for transmission as, digital image prescriptions (e.g. Controlled Drugs, original prescription intended to be sent to pharmacy etc.).
Phone/fax order requirements are not relevant when electronic prescriptions are issued as the legal copy of these prescriptions is accessed via prescription exchange services and downloaded directly into a pharmacy’s dispensing software.
May be subsidised under the PBS
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Legality to supply – ACT regulation | |
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Prescriber requirements on issuing a phone/fax order |
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Requirement for prescriber to send paper prescription to the pharmacist | June 2020 amendment to faxed prescription requirements
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Permitted medicines |
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Pharmacist obligations | |
Legislative instrument | S31 and S120 Medicines Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008 |
Relevant resources | Telehealth prescribing fact sheet (ACT Health) |
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Legality to supply – NSW regulation | |
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Prescriber requirements on issuing a phone/fax order |
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Requirement for prescriber to send paper prescription to the pharmacist |
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Permitted medicines |
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Pharmacist obligations |
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Legislative instrument | Clauses 36, 44, 81 & 96 Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008 (NSW) |
Relevant resources | NSW Health Guide to poisons and therapeutic goods legislation for pharmacists |
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Legality to supply – NT regulation | |
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Prescriber requirements on issuing a phone/fax order | Verbal prescription:
Prescriptions, including faxed prescriptions, may be issued electronically in accordance with the Electronic Transactions Act (NT) 2020. |
Requirement for prescriber to send paper prescription to the pharmacist |
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Permitted medicines |
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Pharmacist obligations |
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Legislative instrument | Section 19, 61, 97 Medicines Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2012 |
Relevant resources | Supplying without a prescription- Pharmacist fact sheet (NTG Department of Health) |
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Legality to supply – QLD regulation | |
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Prescriber requirements on issuing a phone/fax order | Verbal prescriptions:
Faxed prescription:
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Requirement for prescriber to send paper prescription to the pharmacist |
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Permitted medicines |
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Pharmacist obligations |
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Legislative instrument | 81, 81AA, 192, 192AA Health (Drugs and Poisons) Regulation 1996 |
Relevant resources |
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Legality to supply – SA regulation | |
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Prescriber requirements on issuing a phone/fax order | Prescription via telephone, fax or other electronic means:
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Requirement for prescriber to send paper prescription to the pharmacist |
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Permitted medicines |
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Pharmacist obligations | |
Legislative instrument | Regulation 33 Controlled Substances (Poisons) Regulations 2011 (SA) |
Relevant resources |
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Legality to supply – TAS regulation | |
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Prescriber requirements on issuing a phone/fax order | Verbal prescription:
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Requirement for prescriber to send paper prescription to the pharmacist |
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Permitted medicines |
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Pharmacist obligations | |
Legislative instrument | Regulations 23 and 47 Poisons Regulations 2018 (Tas) |
Relevant resources |
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Legality to supply – VIC regulation | |
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Prescriber requirements on issuing a phone/fax order | A prescriber may issue a verbal instruction to supply a medicine an emergency.
Faxed prescriptions: Not valid for supply without a verbal instruction (Exception: medicines supplied under PHEO#4: see digital image prescription) |
Requirement for prescriber to send paper prescription to the pharmacist |
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Permitted medicines |
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Pharmacist obligations | |
Legislative instrument | 25, 47(1), 48 Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 2017 |
Relevant resources |
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Legality to supply – WA regulation | |
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Prescriber requirements on issuing a phone/fax order |
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Requirement for prescriber to send paper prescription to the pharmacist |
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Permitted medicines |
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Pharmacist obligations |
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Legislative instrument | Regulation 17 Medicines and Poisons Regulations 2016 (WA) |
Relevant resources |
Emergency supply of medicines allows a pharmacist to initiate a small quantity supply (usually 3 days’) of a Prescription Only Medicine (S4) in an emergency without a prescription when it’s not possible to contact the patient’s prescriber. Under this arrangement there is no requirement for a follow up prescription.
Medicines supplied under what is commonly known in most jurisdictions as the ‘3-day rule’ are ineligible to be supplied under the PBS and can’t be changed into a full quantity dispensing at a later date on presentation of a prescription.
These permanent provisions existed within state/territory regulation prior to COVID-19. They may remain relevant during COVID-19 if Schedule 4 medicines are unable to be supplied under Expanded Continued Dispensing and other temporary expanded emergency supply provisions.
Not subsidised under the PBS
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Legality to supply – ACT regulation | |
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Conditions which must be met to supply Prescription Only Medicine in an emergency without a prescription. | Pharmacist satisfied:
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Maximum quantity able to be supplied |
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Labelling and recording requirements |
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Medicine excluded |
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Other requirements of supply | Pharmacist must send notification to ordinary prescriber in writing within 24 hours |
Legislative instrument(s) | S251 – S254 Medicines Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008 |
Relevant resources |
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Legality to supply – NSW regulation | |
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Conditions which must be met to supply Prescription Only Medicine in an emergency without a prescription. | Pharmacist satisfied:
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Maximum quantity able to be supplied |
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Labelling and recording requirements |
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Medicine excluded |
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Other requirements of supply | |
Legislative instrument(s) | Clauses 7, 45, Appendix A Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008 (NSW) |
Relevant resources |
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Legality to supply – NT regulation | |
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Conditions which must be met to supply Prescription Only Medicine in an emergency without a prescription. | Pharmacist satisfied:
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Maximum quantity able to be supplied |
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Labelling and recording requirements |
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Medicine excluded |
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Other requirements of supply | |
Legislative instrument(s) |
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Relevant resources |
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For best viewing experience on a mobile we recommend using landscape mode.
Legality to supply – QLD regulation | |
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Conditions which must be met to supply Prescription Only Medicine in an emergency without a prescription. | Pharmacist satisfied:
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Maximum quantity able to be supplied |
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Labelling and recording requirements |
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Medicine excluded |
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Other requirements of supply | |
Legislative instrument(s) |
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Relevant resources |
For best viewing experience on a mobile we recommend using landscape mode.
Legality to supply – SA regulation | |
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Conditions which must be met to supply Prescription Only Medicine in an emergency without a prescription. | Pharmacist satisfied:
|
Maximum quantity able to be supplied |
|
Labelling and recording requirements |
|
Medicine excluded |
|
Other requirements of supply | |
Legislative instrument(s) |
|
Relevant resources |
For best viewing experience on a mobile we recommend using landscape mode.
Legality to supply – TAS regulation | |
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Conditions which must be met to supply Prescription Only Medicine in an emergency without a prescription. | Pharmacist satisfied, on reasonable grounds:
|
Maximum quantity able to be supplied |
|
Labelling and recording requirements |
|
Medicine excluded |
|
Other requirements of supply | |
Legislative instrument(s) |
|
Relevant resources |
|
For best viewing experience on a mobile we recommend using landscape mode.
Legality to supply – VIC regulation | |
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Conditions which must be met to supply Prescription Only Medicine in an emergency without a prescription. | Pharmacist satisfied:
|
Maximum quantity able to be supplied |
|
Labelling and recording requirements |
|
Medicine excluded |
|
Other requirements of supply | |
Legislative instrument(s) | |
Relevant resources |
For best viewing experience on a mobile we recommend using landscape mode.
Legality to supply – WA regulation | |
---|---|
Conditions which must be met to supply Prescription Only Medicine in an emergency without a prescription. | Pharmacist satisfied on reasonable grounds:
|
Maximum quantity able to be supplied |
|
Labelling and recording requirements |
|
Medicine excluded |
|
Other requirements of supply | Regulation 29 Medicines and Poisons Regulations 2016 (WA)*
* information regarding non-divisible packs drawn from WA Health fact sheet |
Legislative instrument(s) | |
Relevant resources |