Pharmacists - frequently asked questions

​Welcome to the pharmacists’ frequently asked questions (faq) page. This page addresses the most common questions we receive from pharmacists. We recommend you check this list before contacting us with any pharmaceutical enquiries. For any questions about cannabis medicines, please visit the cannabis medicines faq page.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​On this page

  1. ​Storage and access to medicines and poisons
  2. ​Supply of medicines
  3. Using a courier or mail delivery service to supply scheduled medicines
  4. Dispensing Schedule 8 (S8), Schedule 4 Appendix D (S4D) and other restricted medicines
  5. Compounded and unregistered Schedule 8 medicines
  6. ​Destruction of Schedule 8 medicines
  7. Record keeping
  8. ​Electronic drug registers​
  9. Schedule 8 drug registers​
  10. ​​State and territory prescription requirements
  11. Privacy​
  12. Date of Birth prescription requirement
  13. Pharmacy ownership​
  14. Guidance on Prescriber practices and complaints 
  15. ​ ​Other FAQs​​​

​Storage and access to medicines and poisons​​

  • ​All Schedule 3 and 4 medicines must be stored in a room or enclosure to which the public does not have access, such as a dispensary.

    All Schedule 8 medicines in a phamacy must be kept locked in a safe apart from other goods (other than cash or documents) or in a refrigerator, meeting all storage requirements of the Regulation.

    ​​For storage of Schedule 6 poisons refer to the TGA Guidance for retail storage of Schedule 6 poisons​​​​.​​

  • ​In a pharmacy, all Schedule 8 medicines must be kept locked in a safe or in a refrigerator, meeting all storage requirements of the Regulation at all times except when in immediate use.

    All keys to the safe(s) in the pharmacy: 

    • must always be held by a pharmacist whilst the pharmacy is open
    • must not be left on the premises (except when locked in another safe) when the pharmacy is closed.

    The combination or code for the safe must never be disclosed to any staff member who is not a pharmacist.​​​​​​

​​​Supply of medicines

  • A pharmacist may supply a quantity in accordance with the recognised therapeutic standards. This includes what is appropriate under the circumstances for the treatment of the customer or the person for whom the medicine is intended. ​

  • No, in NSW a pharmacy cannot supply by wholesale. This means that a pharmacy cannot supply scheduled substances to someone who will then on-supply or sell these to another person. A pharmacy may only supply scheduled medicines to patients of that pharmacist for their personal treatment.

    A pharmacist may supply scheduled medicines to doctors or other authorised practitioners for use by that practitioner in an emergency or urgent use situation. This supply must be on a written order that is signed and dated by that practitioner.

    Certain shopkeepers in rural areas, and other persons who may be authorised to obtain scheduled medicines, should obtain them from a licensed wholesaler.​​

  • A pharmacist can only supply extemporaneously compounded medicines prepared for a particular patient's order or prescription. For all other circumstances refer to the TGA Manufacturing medicines​​​.​​  

  • No, as it is illegal to supply any medicine (even unscheduled medicines, vitamins and herbal remedies) past the expiry date to anyone. 

  • This is not recommended and may be illegal if the following conditions are not complied with. These include:

    • Removal of the label and any other material which contains references to “prescription only" and any references to dose, pack size, indications, patient age, and length of treatment which would make the medicine a Schedule 4 medicine.
    • Labelling of the product as for a dispensed prescription medicine to include the patient name, directions, date etc.​
    • Supply must be for individual patients only, and only for the permitted indication (i.e. not for any purpose which is included in the Schedule 4 entry for the substance). You must not supply it if you suspect that the customer intends to use it for other purposes.
    • The pharmacist must supply a copy of the approved CMI (Consumer Medicine Information) for the medicine as an OTC (over-the-counter) product, if available. ​
    • The prescription product brand name must not be used in any advertising.

  • You can only supply prescription medicines on a prescription or request from a practitioner registered on the ​Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency(Ahpra)​. If the prescriber is not registered on Ahpra, they should be treated as any member of the public. ​​

​Using a courier or mail delivery service to supply scheduled medicines​​

  • ​Medicines which have been prescribed, dispensed and labelled for a patient, and Schedule 2 or unscheduled medicines, can be sent to the patient by courier, or other carrier.

    In the case of Schedule 8 medicines delivered by carrier, the sender should obtain a receipt from the carrier and require the carrier to obtain a receipt from the addressee and deliver it to the sender. The pharmacist who supplies a Schedule 8 medicine by delivery or courier service must obtain and keep written evidence of the consignment of the medicine, and evidence of its delivery.

    The external packaging must not indicate that the contents are a Schedule 8 or Schedule 4 Appendix D medicine. ​

  • No. If a Schedule 3 medicine is not supplied by prescription, a pharmacist must personally hand it to the customer. This provides them with the opportunity to seek advice about its use, dose, and possible side effects of the medicine.

  • ​Medicines which have been prescribed, dispensed and labelled for a patient, and Schedule 2 or unscheduled medicines, may be sent to the patient by post if they comply with the Australia Post requirements.​

    Prior to mailing any dispensed medicines, please contact Australia Post for information and advice on what substances are permitted to send and what are prohibited. 
    Australia Post telephone: 13 76 78 (13 POST).

    ​Further information on Australia Post requireme​nts can be found here: Dangerous, prohibited and restricted items where you can download the guide: Prohibited and Restricted Items List and Packaging Guide.

    Prior to sending medicines and scheduled substances via delivery services other than Australia Post, please review their policies and guidelines by contacting them directly.​​​

​Dispensing Schedule 8 (S8), Schedule 4 Appendix D (S4D) and other restricted medicines

  • If a prescription for a Schedule 8 medicine includes repeats, the prescriber must specify a repeat interval.

    If the repeat interval is not specified, then only the original supply quantity can be dispensed, and the pharmacist must cancel and retain the prescription. No further repeats can be dispensed and the pharmacist cannot add this to the prescription even if they receive verbal or written confirmation from the prescriber.

    The same rules apply to prescriptions for S4D anabolic steroids.​

  • No, you can only dispense the medicine which is not a Schedule 8 medicine. The Schedule 8 medicine cannot be dispensed and should be marked as 'CANCELLED' on the prescription.

    A ​legally valid Schedule 8 prescription can only include one Schedule 8 medicine. If different strengths of the same Schedule 8 medicine are required, a separate prescription must be issued for each strength.​

  • ​No. It is a legal requirement for all paper prescriptions for Schedule 8 medicines (and anabolic androgenic steroidal agents) to be retained separately from other prescriptions, on the premises of the pharmacy that dispensed them.

    The patient can be given the following options for the repeat supply. They can:

    • personally return or send a representative to your pharmacy to get the repeats dispensed when they are due, or
    • arrange for the medicine to be delivered to them from your pharmacy, or
    • request a new prescription from their doctor.

    This requirement does not apply to electronic prescriptions​. ​

  • No. It is a legal requirement for all paper prescriptions for anabolic androgenic steroidal agents to be retained on the premises of the pharmacy where they were originally dispensed.

    The patient can be given the following options for the repeat supply. They can:

    • personally return or send a representative to your pharmacy to get the repeats dispensed when they are due, or 
    • arrange for the medicine to be delivered to them from your pharmacy, or  
    • request a new prescription from their doctor. 

    The same requirements apply to barbiturate medicines when packed and labelled for injection.​

  • Repeat intervals for Schedule 8 prescriptions specify the set amount of time between supplies to ensure proper oversight and minimise the risk of misuse or diversion. Any changes to the supply interval can only be authorised by the prescriber.

    If a Schedule 8 medication is requested for early dispensing or an additional supply is needed, the following steps should be considered:

    • Prescriber authorisation: The prescriber needs to authorise or provide instructions by one of the following methods:​
      • verbal authorisation of the supply. This must be confirmed via email (from the prescriber's valid email address), or by a signed and dated authorisation. This confirmation should be recorded with the dispensing event in a manner that meets Schedule 8 medicine supply record keeping requirements of the Regulation.​
      • endorsement of a PBS prescription wit​h “Section 49" (previously known as Regulation 24) indicating the medicine quantity is to be supplied at one time
      • issue of a new prescription if necessary to reflect the adjusted supply. Before doing so, the patient's situation should be reassessed by the prescriber.
    • Patient documentation: The patient can be requested to provide travel documents detailing the duration of their trip, ensuring it aligns with the quantity of medication requested.
    • Record-keeping: It is essential to document the reasons for any additional dispensing of Schedule 8 medications. This includes keeping a record of the prescriber's authorisation for compliance and monitoring purposes.

  • No. The PBS authority number simply indicates that the Commonwealth has agreed to subsidise it through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). It does not authorise a prescriber to prescribe the medicine or make a prescription valid.

    Prescriptions for Schedule 8 psychostimulant medicines, whether issued under the PBS or not, must include the NSW Ministry of Health approval number. ​

    For more information see Prescribe a psychostimulant medicine and Dispensing prescriptions for psychostimulants. ​​​​

  • ​A prescriber is issued an approval number by the NSW Ministry of Health and must include it on prescriptions for Schedule 8 psychostimulant and compounded medicines.

    If the prescriber has endorsed the prescription with a NSW Ministry of Health approval number, the dispensing pharmacist can assume it is correct. It is the prescriber’s responsibility to ensure the approval number is valid. ​

  • Special conditions apply to the supply of certain restricted substances such as clomifene. Only an authorised doctor may issue a prescription for these substances.

    To be authorised, a prescriber is either:​

    • a medical practitioner registered in the specialty of obstetrics and gynaecology. The prescriber must include his or her qualifications as FRCOG/FRANZCOG (or FRACP practising endocrinology in a specialist endocrinology unit) and the words "issued under clause 37 of the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008" on the prescription.​
    • a prescriber (such as a GP) with an approval from the NSW Ministry of Health. The approval number must be included on the prescription. ​

    Other restricted substances with similar requirements are: acitretin, cyclofenil, dinoprost, dinoprostone, etretinate, follitropin beta, isotretinoin for oral use, luteinising hormone, tretinoin for oral use and urofollitrophin (human follicle stimulating hormone). ​

  • You should contact each of the prescribers and inform them of the situation and enquire if the prescriber deems it safe and appropriate for the patient to have the prescription dispensed. 

    Prescribers can be referred to SafeScript NSW for real-time information about a patient's prescription history to support clinical decision making and patient safety. They can also visit the ​Services Australia's Prescription Shopping Program we​bsite for details on how to request a list of PBS medicines supplied to their patient or to access patient claims information. ​

    Pharmacists should only dispense monitored medicines in an appropriate quantity, and for a purpose based on recognised therapeutic standards as appropriate depending on each circumstance. The quantity and frequency of dispensing must correspond with the dosages indicated on the prescription and be appropriate in the circumstances.

    If you continue to have concerns about a particular patient or the practice of a prescriber, contact the Pharmaceutical Services Unit via the online enquiry form​ for further advice.​

​Compounded and unregistered Schedule 8 medicines​​

  • Yes, prescriptions for extemporaneously compounded Schedule 8 medicines must include a NSW Ministry of Health approval number.

    Re-formulations of Schedule 8 medicines, such as making a mixture from tablets, or using contents of ampoules for making topical preparations, or the combining of two registered medicines, is classified as compounding. Prescribers are legally obligated to provide clear instructions in a prescription to the pharmacist about how to formulate or compound a medicine.

    A prescriber with an existing NSW approval for the registered Schedule 8 medicine (such as a psychostimulant medicine) does not need a separate approval if requesting the same medicine as a compounded preparation. In this case a new approval is not needed but the prescriber must include the existing NSW approval number on the prescription for it to be valid.

    ​ ​For further information see ​Unregistered and compounded Schedule 8 medicines.​​

  • Compounded medicines are not assessed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for quality, safety or efficacy, and should only be used where a registered medicine is inappropriate or unavailable. 

    ​Compounding guidance is available in the Pharmacy Board of Australia’s Guidelines on Compounding of Medicines​.​

    Information on prescribing, supplying and dispensing compounded Schedule 8 medicines is also available at Unregistered and ​compounded Schedule 8 medicines​. ​

  • Yes, an approval from NSW Ministry of ​​Health is required to prescribe or supply any unregistered Schedule 8 medicine for a clinical trial. Only a medical practitioner can apply for such an approval.​​

  • No. Only a medical practitioner can obtain approval to prescribe or supply a compounded Schedule 8 medicine in NSW.  ​

  • No. A pharmacist can only dispense or extemporaneously compound these medicines if they have a valid prescription.  The manufacture, supply or dispensing of a compounded Schedule 8 medicine on a telephone, fax, or email order is not permitted.​​​

  • Yes. The exceptions to approval are li​sted at Unregistered and compounded Schedule 8 medicine​​s​.​​​

​Destruction of Schedule 8 medicines​

  • The Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008 allows a pharmacist who practises at a community pharmacy to destroy a Schedule 8 medicine at the pharmacy in the presence of an independent witness. For more information see  ​Destruction of Schedule 8 medicines by community pharmacists. ​​​​​

  • No, you cannot accept them. The nurse should return the Schedule 8 medicines to the nursing home for destruction by authorised persons.

    A pharmacist employed at the pharmacy that supplies medicines to the nursing home or its residents may go to the nursing home and destroy the unwanted Schedule 8 medicines on the premises in the presence of the Director of Nursing.​​​

  • Yes, a pharmacist working in any community pharmacy (not necessarily the original supplier of the medicines) may destroy a Schedule 8 medicine belonging to a prescriber, either at the pharmacy or on the premises where the practitioner practices. The pharmacist must record the destruction in the practitioner's drug register, including the date, the practitioner's name, and the pharmacist's name and professional registration number. The practitioner must witness the destruction, and both the pharmacist and the practitioner must enter their signatures for​ each entry.

    The medicines must be made unrecoverable, de-identified, and cause no danger to any person or undue damage to the natural environment. For more information, see Destruction of Schedule 8 medicines by community pharmacists.

    A pharmacist is not obliged to destroy medicines on request.

    The pharmacist cannot take possession of the medicines or enter them into the pharmacy's drug register.​​

​Record keeping

  • All records of prescriptions dispensed must be retained for two years from the date of dispensing and must be kept on the premises where the prescription was dispensed.​​

  • Yes you can, provided the following requirements are met: 

    • The scanned image must be legible and contain all the details of the original prescription including rec​ords of dispensing such as dispensing stickers 
    • The records of the scanned or electronic images of the prescriptions are accessible by the pharmacist on duty and can be produced without delay when requested​ ​.
  • ​All records of emergency supplies made must be retained for two years from the date of supply and must be kept on the premises where the order was supplied.​

  • ​Prescriptions dispensed for Schedule 8 medicines must be retained for two years from the​​ date of dispensing and must be kept on the premises where the prescription was dispensed. ​Paper prescriptions must be kept on the premises where the prescription was dispensed. Electronic prescriptions must be accessible by the pharmacist on duty and produced without delay when requested. ​

    The prescriptions must also be kept apart from other (Schedule 4) prescriptions, except those for certain barbiturates and anabolic/androgenic steroidal agents as listed in Appendix B of the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008​​​​​​​​​​​​.​​

​Electronic drug registers

  • Only an authorised person who may possess, supply or administer Schedule 8 medicines can lawfully make entries in an electronic drug register.  

    Authorised persons include pharmacists, registered nurses, medical practitioners, nurse practitioners, dentists, veterinary practitioners, inspectors appointed under the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1966 (NSW), and police officers.  

    Any other person may make a pending entry, but only an authorised person who is assigned with the unique access credential can make a finalised entry in the electronic drug register.  ​

  • The person responsible for the drug register must create or assign a unique access credential to an independent witness. This witness must be:

    • authorised under the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008 (NSW) to witness the destruction of such a drug, or
    • an inspector appointed under the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1966 (NSW) or
    • a police officer.

    The independent witness, inspector or police officer must directly observe the relevant activities they are witnessing. They must use their login to perform and countersign all actions in the electronic drug register.​

  • Any deficit or surplus to the stock balance of Schedule 8 substances must be reconciled as soon as practical.

    If the stock balance following the reconciliation is in deficit, the responsible person must notify Pharmaceutical Services ​by submitting a​​ Notification of loss or theft of Schedule 8 (S8) and Schedule 4 Appendix D (S4D) medicines​.

    If the stock balance is in surplus, a stock count of that substance must be conducted and the current stock balance, inclusive of the surplus, recorded in the electronic drug register.

    A justifiable reason must be recorded in the electronic drug register for transactions that relate to adjustments to the stock balance. This can include incorrect transactions, or a reference to submission of a notification to the Pharmaceutical Services Unit about the loss of the substance.

    Discrepancies must not be written off without a valid and justifiable reason recorded in the electronic drug register.​​​

Schedule 8 drug registers ​

  • All persons engaged in the manufacture, distribution, sale, administration or supply of Schedule 8 medicines must keep a drug register.  

    Drug registers including those for use on a ward can be purchased from the State Government printing contractor Finsbury Green. 

    To order a drug register from Finsbury Green: 

    Send an order request to Finsbury Green at: nswhealth@finsbury.zohodesk.com.au

    After receiving the order request, the purchaser will be contacted by an account manager to confirm order and freight charges. 

    The following registers are available for purchase: 

    • Ward Register of Drugs of Addiction NH612005 - Form h32 
    • Register of Drugs of Addiction NH612000 - Form h31 

    Finsbury Green Help Desk may be contacted by telephone on 1800 515 222 but only after an order has been placed. 

    Drug registers may also be purchased from some pharmaceutical wholesalers and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. Subsidiary Drug registers for the dosing of methadone, Subutex and Suboxone are available from the  ​NSW Pharmacy Guild​.​​​

  • You may dispense and supply the 20 tablets to the patient and record in the drug register that you have supplied 20 tablets. Once you receive a further supply you then need to record this supply in the drug register, and then record the supply of the remaining 20 tablets to the patient.

    The date of each supply and prescription number should be noted in the register against the separate entries.​

  • The drug register must at all times reflect the actual quantities of all Schedule 8 medicines currently in possession. This includes:

    • medicines obtained from a wholesaler for general stock use, from a pharmacy for emergency use, or from a patient (for example, where the patient's dispensed medicines are being held for safekeeping or convenience), and 
    • medicines that are out of date, unusable or no longer required.

    Unusable or unwanted medicines may be transferred to another, separate page of the register and then destroyed as per Destruction of Schedule 8 medicines at community pharmacies.​​​​

​State and territory prescription requirements

  • ​​Yes, provided the practitioner is ​registered on the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra​)​​​​​​​.​

    A pharmacist must ensure the following for Schedule 8 prescriptions:

    • ​The details required on a Schedule 8 medicine prescription are met. ​
    • The patient and/or the prescriber identity is verified. The pharmacist must ensure they know the patient, or the prescriber, or confirm the prescription is valid, by independently verifying it with the prescriber. Do not assume the contact details on the prescription to be accurate. Prescriber contact details should be sought via a source other than what is on the prescription, such as via an internet browser search, ​​​Ahpra​​ ​register etc. 
    • Electronic prescriptions must be issued using a prescribing system with a Conformance ID issued by the Australian Digital Health Agency. Pharmacists must be confident the token presented has not been fraudulently obtained or altered. Verification as above is required.
    • Prescriptions for methylphenidate, dexamfetamine, lisdexamfetamine, or a pharmacist-compounded Schedule 8 medicine can only be issued by a medical practitioner. The prescription must also be endorsed with the approval number issued to the prescriber by NSW Ministry of Health.
    • Prescriptions for methadone or buprenorphine for opioid dependence treatment require the prescriber to have an approval by the NSW Ministry of Health.
    • Before dispensing paper prescriptions, the patient should be informed that you will need to retain the prescription (including any repeats).​​
      ​

  • Yes, a prescription written in another state or territory can only be valid for dispensing in NSW if it complies with NSW law. This includes the requirement for the prescriber to hold an approval from the NSW Ministry of Health. The prescriber must include the approval number on the prescription for compounded Schedule 8 substances. ​​​​

  • NSW approval requirements apply to all prescriptions issued and dispensed in NSW.

    Prescribers should seek advice of the health authority of the relevant state or territory to determine whether and under what conditions a prescription written in NSW may be valid for dispensing in that jurisdiction.​​

​​Privacy​

  • The Health Records and Information Protection Act 2002 provides limits on when health practitioners may disclose information. Health​​ information must only be disclosed for the primary purpose for which it was collected unless an applicable exemption applies under Heal​​th Privacy Principle 10 (HPP 10) - Limits on disclosure of health information.

    More information on privacy legislation applicable to private sector health providers is available on the website of the Information and Privacy Commission NSW​.​​

  • Under the provisions of ​​section 43​ of the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1966, you are obliged to give access to a NSW Ministry of Health Inspector to search or make copies of records related to the supply of medicines or poisons for the purpose of ensuring compliance. 

    Inspectors are bound by strict privacy legislation that prevent them from disclosing this information to unauthorised persons. Before granting access to any records, you should ask to see the Inspector's photographic identification authority card.​​​

Date of Birth prescription requirement​

  • DOB is mandatory for all conformant electronic prescriptions that are used Australia wide. This requirement differs for other types of prescriptions.

    In NSW the patient's DOB is a requirement for all prescriptions. Other jurisdictions only require DOB on Schedule 8 prescriptions.​​

  • Although a prescriber is required to include the patient's DOB on a prescription, if they omit it, the prescription can still be dispensed by a pharmacist as permitted under the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation.​

    If a prescription is presented without the patient's DOB, the pharmacist must obtain it from the patient or their representative and record it in the patient's profile within the dispensing system.

    Please note that the patient's DOB is not a compulsory field on a physical Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme prescription and not a requirement under the National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Regulation 2017.​​

​Pharmacy Ownership

  • A change in pharmacy ownership only needs to be reported to Pharmaceutical Services at the NSW Ministry of Health if the pharmacy is a methadone or buprenorphine dosing point under the NSW Opioid Treatment Program and the new owner intends to continue this service. 

    The new owner should notify Pharmaceutical Services via email at MOH-PharmaceuticalServices@health.nsw.gov.au​ ​at least 7 working days before taking over ownership. If notification is not made, the pharmacy may not be able to obtain methadone or buprenorphine for the Program. ​​

  • All the pharmacy dispensing records as well as the Schedule 8 and Schedule 4 Appendix B prescriptions remain the responsibility of the pharmacist proprietor of the pharmacy being sold/closed.

    Schedule 8 and Schedule 4 Appendix B prescriptions must be retained for two years from the date of the last transaction and be available to an authorised NSW Ministry of Health inspector or a NSW police officer on request. The Schedule 8 and Schedule 4 Appendix B retained prescription repeats should not be cancelled.

    For information on how to manage these requirements in the circumstances of your pharmacy's closure, contact Pharmaceutical Services via email at MOH-PharmaceuticalServices@health.nsw.gov.au​​​​

  • Pharmacists and business managers must comply with regulations regarding the supply and storage of medicines. If emergency locum options are not available and closure of the pharmacy is the only option, communication should aim to inform customers of the closure period and their options for getting their medicines dispensed. 

    While it is generally illegal for anyone to take or supply items from a pharmacy without a pharmacist present, a non-pharmacist staff member may, under the pharmacist's direction, collect prescriptions and repeats (except for Schedule 8 and Schedule 4 Appendix B medicines) that have been left at the pharmacy for safekeeping or convenience and:

    • take the prescriptions to another pharmacy, inform the patients of this arrangement and provide the contact details of the other pharmacy, or
    • deliver the prescriptions and/or repeats to the patient's address for the patient to organise the dispensing at another pharmacy, or
    • offer a courier/delivery service taking the prescription/repeats to another pharmacy to have the medication dispensed and then delivered to the customer. Note: Original and repeat prescriptions for Schedule 8 and S4B (androgenic anabolic steroid) medicines must remain on the premises of the pharmacy that first dispensed them. If a patient requires a further supply while the pharmacy is closed, they will need to refer to their prescriber and arrange for a new prescription.
    • take possession of dispensed (non-Schedule 8) medicines, then deliver them directly to the patient.​​

​​​Guidance on Prescriber practices and complaints
​

  • If you are concerned about a doctor's prescribing, you should talk to them about your concerns as soon as possible.

    If your concerns persist and your complaint is about alleged illegal or inappropriate supply or prescribing of medicines, you can report your concerns to Pharmaceutical Services (NSW Ministry of Health) via submission of the online enquiry form.

    If you are concerned about the doctor's actions, other than prescribing, you can contact the Health Care Complaints Commission online or via phone on 1800 043 159.​

  • You should contact the prescriber and discuss any concerns you have regarding treatment with them. Make a dated record of your interaction with the prescriber.

    If you have concerns about their response or the appropriateness of their prescribing practice, report the details to Pharmaceutical Services via submission of the online enquiry form or lodge a complaint to the Medical Council of NSW​ or the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC)​.​ ​

  • ​​

    This scenario is a matter for concern . Please contact Pharmaceutical Services , NSW Ministry of Health via email at MOH-PharmaceuticalServices@health.nsw.gov.au​ or via submission of the online enquiry form​.

    Please refer to the Medical Board of Australia Good Medical Practice: A code of conduct for doctors in Australia and the medical council of NSW Guideline for self-treatment and treating family members​.

​​​​Other FAQs

  • Yes, a pharmacist may borrow scheduled medication from another pharmacy in the quantity necessary to meet a patient's order or prescription, and the pharmacist may replace the stock that is borrowed. A record of the supply must be made by each pharmacy. ​Any other supply is considered wholesale supply by a pharmacy and is prohibited.​​

  • You must try to verify the prescription with the prescriber by contacting them by phone. You should attempt to obtain the prescriber's phone number from a source other than that stated on the prescription. You can also check if the prescription is listed on the Lost, stolen or forged prescriptions webpage.

    If the prescriber confirms that they did not write the prescription and/or if the prescription is listed as stolen or lost, you must not dispense it and if possible, keep the prescription. You must notify the police by contacting your local police station.​

    If the forgery is on a stolen or illicitly printed form, also advise Pharmaceutical Services by submitting a Notification form of lost, stolen or forged prescription​.

  • ​The duplicate copy should be destroyed. Duplicate prescriptions are required only for prescriptions for which the pharmacist claims a refund from the Commonwealth (Medicare or Department of Veterans’ Affairs). Private prescriptions should not be issued in duplicate, especially if they are for medicines which may be abused.

    For information on the PBS scheme, please see ​PBS Frequently Asked Questions​​​​​​.

  • Dose administration aids (DAA) have the same labelling requirements as any dispensed medicine. These requirements are detailed in Appendix A of the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008.

    Information on dose administration aids is also available in the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Professional Practice Standards.​​  

  • When an opioid dependent person enters hospital it is important that the Drug and Alcohol team are actively involved in the management of the patient, regardless of whether the patient is already on an Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) or not. 

    If there is a current OTP approval held by a prescriber to prescribe methadone or buprenorphine for the patient upon admission, the hospital prescriber should liaise with both this prescriber and the dosing point to confirm current and last dose details (including any take-aways) and to discuss and agree on a management plan for the patient whilst in hospital. The arrangements and management plan should be clearly documented. 

    If there is no current OTP approval held by any prescriber, an application to prescribe methadone or buprenorphine on the OTP is required only if the inpatient is to be treated for a period greater than 14 days.

    If the patient has been an inpatient for more than 14 days: 

    • the hospital prescriber and the current prescriber can agree to continue with the existing management arrangements. These arrangements should be clearly documented, OR 
    • the hospital prescriber may elect to apply for the approval. The hospital prescriber applying to take over should be an accredited OTP prescriber or a staff specialist from the drug and alcohol team. This will require the permission of the current prescriber who must complete an exit form via SafeScript NSW or by submitting an application, see NSW Opioid Treatment Program (OTP).

    Upon discharge, the hospital prescriber and the drug & alcohol team are responsible for facilitating a seamless transfer of the care of the patient to an accredited community OTP prescriber and dosing point. 

    Please note there is no requirement in any of the above circumstances for a community prescriber to supply a prescription to the hospital. A direction on an inpatient medication chart is valid for the administration of methadone or buprenorphine in a hospital.

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Current as at: Tuesday 1 April 2025
Contact page owner: Pharmaceutical Services