Dispensing of interstate prescriptions

Schedule 4 medicines

Prescriptions for schedule 4 medicines (such as blood pressure medications or cholesterol lowering tablets) written by prescribers in another state or territory can be dispensed in South Australia. Similarly, prescriptions for schedule 4 medicines written in South Australia can be dispensed in another state or territory.

Schedule 8 medicines

Prescriptions for schedule 8 medicines written by prescribers in another state or territory can be dispensed in South Australia provided the pharmacist dispensing the prescription:

  • knows the person for whom the medication has been prescribed, OR
  • recognises the signature of the prescriber on the prescription, OR
  • has verified the prescription by contacting the prescriber1.

Prescriptions for schedule 8 medicines written in South Australia may not be valid in another state or territory. The relevant state or territory authority should be contacted for further information. Please refer below for a list of contact details for each state/territory.

Note: this also applies to Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Dependence (MATOD) prescriptions.

State/territory regulatory body contacts

1 Regulation 35A(4)(a) of the Controlled Substances (Poisons) Regulation 2011