Image-based Prescribing arrangements

It is critical that pharmacists and prescribers are prepared for the ceasing of these arrangements. It is recommended and encouraged that community pharmacies continue to liaise with their local GP prescribers to ensure patients can continue to access their medicines in a timely manner.

Electronic prescriptions offer several benefits to patients and should be offered by prescribers as part of their prescribing practice. Prescribers can issue an electronic token to a patient via an SMS[1] or email. Alternatively, patients who require multiple medications may benefit from an Active Script List (ASL) - a consolidated list of their active prescriptions available for dispensing by their chosen pharmacy. Both these options can also minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19 between patients and pharmacy staff and ensure prescriptions can be safely dispensed. 

Prescriptions written and issued as an Image-based Prescription on or before 31 March 2022 with existing repeats in the community setting will be honoured after 31 March 2022. These must continue to be retained by the pharmacy for subsequent supply of the medicine, until the prescription runs out or expires.

Limited image-based prescribing activities may continue for prescriptions written for hospital patients. A prescription written for a hospital patient can be lawfully dispensed by a hospital pharmacy. This arrangement is available to 31 March 2023 and hospital-initiated image-based prescriptions can only be lawfully dispensed by a hospital pharmacy subject to State and Territory law.

The Department of Health has developed fact sheets to assist prescribers and community pharmacies with this change.

• Prescriptions via telehealth – A guide for prescribers
• Prescriptions via telehealth – A guide for pharmacists

[1] SMS costs are covered by the Commonwealth Government until 30 June, 2022.