What is the process for getting a prescription filled?

In Plain English

To get a prescription filled under the schemes described, here's a general overview:

1. See an Approved Prescriber: A medical professional who is authorized to prescribe medications under the relevant scheme (RPBS, PBS, etc.) needs to write you a prescription.
2. Prescription Requirements: The prescription needs to be written according to specific rules, including details like the prescriber's information, your information, the medication details (name, quantity, dosage), and the date. It may need to be written on a specific form.
3. Take it to an Approved Pharmacy: Present the prescription to a pharmacy that is approved under the relevant scheme.
4. Urgent Supply: In urgent situations, a pharmacist might supply a medication before receiving the physical prescription, based on the prescriber's advice, but the prescription must be provided within 7 days.
5. Medication Chart Prescriptions (for residential care or hospitals): If you're in a residential care facility or hospital, the prescriber might use a medication chart instead of a regular prescription. This chart has specific validity periods.
6. Continued Dispensing (Emergency Measure): In certain situations, you might be able to get a limited supply of your medication from a pharmacy without a prescription if you meet specific conditions, such as not being able to contact your doctor.
7. Electronic Prescriptions: Electronic prescriptions are allowed, and they must meet specific technology requirements.

Detailed Explanation

The process for getting a prescription filled involves several key steps and considerations, depending on the specific scheme under which the medication is being prescribed and supplied. The schemes discussed are the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) (Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme), the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), and related instruments.

1. Obtaining a Prescription from an Approved Prescriber:

   • A patient must first consult with a medical practitioner or other authorized prescriber (e.g., Authorised Nurse Practitioner or Authorised Midwife) who is approved under the relevant scheme (MRCA Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (No. MRCC 44/2013)).
   • The prescriber must write the prescription in accordance with the requirements of the specific scheme and the National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Regulations 2017. For example, under the RPBS, the prescription must be prepared in duplicate, either by handwriting or by computer, on a specific form with required information such as the prescriber's name and address, the letters 'RPBS' or 'DVA', and the designation of copies (Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme).
   • For prescriptions written by Authorised Nurse Practitioners or Authorised Midwives, the prescription must only be for a Pharmaceutical benefit the person is permitted to prescribe under the National Health Act 1953 (MRCA Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (No. MRCC 44/2013)).

   • Prescription Requirements:

   • The prescription must include specific details such as the date, the name and address of the patient, the name of the Pharmaceutical benefit, the quantity to be supplied, and any repeats (Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme).

   • For authority prescriptions, the prescriber must indicate that prior approval has been obtained (Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme).
   • The National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Regulations 2017 and related instruments also specify requirements for prescriptions, including electronic prescriptions.

   • Presenting the Prescription to an Approved Pharmacy:

   • The patient then presents the prescription to an approved pharmacist at a pharmacy approved under the relevant scheme (National Health Act 1953).

   • The pharmacist must supply the Pharmaceutical benefit according to the prescription, ensuring that the quantity supplied does not exceed the maximum quantity allowed (Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme).

   • Urgent Supply of Pharmaceutical Benefits:

   • In cases of urgency, a pharmacist may supply a Pharmaceutical benefit before receiving the written prescription if a PBS prescriber advises the details of the prescription or provides a copy. However, the actual prescription (paper-based or electronic) must be received or accessible by the pharmacist within 7 days (National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Regulations 2017).

   • This urgent supply is subject to specific conditions, particularly for authority prescriptions, where the prescriber must inform the pharmacist of the relevant authority code or notification of authorization (National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Regulations 2017).

   • Medication Chart Prescriptions:

   • For patients in residential care services or approved hospitals, prescriptions may be written using medication charts (Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme).

   • The medication chart must include specific information, such as the patient's details, the Pharmaceutical benefit details, and the prescriber's information (Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme).
   • The period of validity for medication charts varies depending on whether the patient is in a residential care service or a hospital (Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme).

   • Continued Dispensing (Emergency Measure):

   • In specific circumstances, a Community Pharmacist may supply certain Pharmaceutical benefits without a prescription, as determined by instruments under section 89A of the National Health Act 1953 (Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, MRCA Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (No. MRCC 44/2013)).

   • This is subject to conditions specified in the National Health (Continued Dispensing – Emergency Measure) Determination 2025 (No.3), such as the pharmacist being satisfied that the patient cannot obtain a prescription, the patient has previously been supplied the benefit on a prescription, and the patient's therapy is stable (National Health (Continued Dispensing – Emergency Measure) Determination 2025 (No.3)).
   • The pharmacist must also ensure the patient signs a declaration acknowledging the supply without a prescription (National Health (Continued Dispensing – Emergency Measure) Determination 2025 (No.3)).

   • Electronic Prescriptions:

   • Electronic prescriptions are permitted, and the National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Regulations 2017 includes provisions for their preparation, submission, and presentation to approved suppliers.

   • The Secretary may approve specific kinds of electronic communications and information technology requirements for electronic prescriptions (National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Regulations 2017).

   • Growth Hormone Program Special Arrangement:

   • For growth hormone pharmaceutical benefits, specific rules apply regarding who can receive the medication (eligible children and adults) and the conditions under which it can be prescribed (National Health (Growth Hormone Program) Special Arrangement 2025).

   • Prescriptions for growth hormone must meet specific requirements related to the phase of treatment, maximum quantities, and doses (National Health (Growth Hormone Program) Special Arrangement 2025).