On this page
- Schedule 8 (S8) medicines
- Dispensing S8 or S4 prescriptions
- Supply of medicines
- Pharmacy ownership
- Record keeping, storage and privacy
- Other topics
Schedule 8 (S8) medicines
Schedule 8 (S8) substances are labelled 'Controlled drug'. They are medicines that can only be supplied by a pharmacist on prescription and are subject to tight restrictions because of their potential to produce addiction. They are often referred to as 'drugs of addiction'. Morphine, oxycodone and fentanyl are examples of S8 drugs.
For information on storage, supply, access, recording, destruction of S8s and drug registers, refer to Frequently asked questions - Schedule 8 (S8) medicines.
Dispensing S8 or S4 prescriptions
S4D drugs are called 'prescribed restricted substances' and include drugs that may be abused and/or are liable to cause dependence. Anabolic androgenic steroids, barbiturates and benzodiazepines are examples of S4Ds.
The supply of Schedule 8 (S8) and Schedule 4 Appendix D (S4D) drugs are subject to special requirements.
For information on dispensing of S8s, S4s and S4Ds, refer to Frequently asked questions - Dispensing S8 or S4 prescriptions.
Supply of medicines
The supply of Schedule 2 (S2), Schedule 3 (S3) and Schedule 4 (S4) substances in NSW are subject to requirements of the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act and its associated Regulation.
For information on the supply of these substances, refer to Frequently asked questions - Supply of medicines.
Pharmacy ownership
If you're thinking about buying or selling a pharmacy, find out what to
- notify to the NSW Ministry of Health
- do with dispensing records
- do with S8 and S4D repeats and cancelled prescriptions.
Frequently asked questions - pharmacy ownership
Record keeping, storage and privacy
Topics on record keeping, storage of medicines, and privacy:
- Where to store medicines and poisons in the pharmacy
- Retention of records of dispensed prescriptions
- Disclosure of patient information to health professionals
Frequently asked questions - record keeping, storage and privacy
Other topics
Subjects covered in this section include:
- Opioid Treatment Program in hospital inpatients
- computer-generated prescriptions
- making a complaint about a doctor's prescribing
- borrowing medication from another pharmacy
- forged or altered prescriptions
- duplicate pescriptions
- labelling requirements for dose administration aids.
Frequently asked questions
National residential medication chart
A new standard national medication chart is being trialled at some residential aged care facilities.
The pilot program includes the provision for only the community pharmacy that regularly dispenses medications for the particular residential aged care facility taking part in the pilot to use a copy of the National Residential Medication Chart (NMRC) as a prescription.
More information
