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

Australian Capital Territory

ACT Health, Pharmaceutical Services
Phone: (02) 6205 0998

New South Wales

Department of Health, Pharmaceutical Services
Phone: (02) 9879 5239

Northern Territory

Medicines and Poisons Control
Phone: (08) 8922 7340

Queensland

Queensland Health, Drugs of Dependence Unit
Phone: (07) 3328 9890

Tasmania

Department of Health and Human Services, Pharmaceutical Services Branch
Phone: (03) 6166 0400

Victoria

Department of Health, Drugs and Poisons Unit
Phone: 1300 364 545

Western Australia

Department of Health, Pharmaceutical Services
Phone: (08) 9388 4980

1 Regulation 35(8)(a) Controlled Substances (Poisons) Regulations 2011