Schedule 8 psychostimulant prescriptions
A quick reference guide for continuation prescribers
Continuation prescribers need prior authorisation from the NSW Ministry of Health to prescribe or supply Schedule 8 psychostimulant medicines: dexamfetamine, lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate.
A pharmacist in NSW cannot lawfully dispense a prescription for psychostimulant medicine unless the prescription includes an approval reference number issued by the NSW Ministry of Health. This requirement applies regardless of the state or territory the prescription was issued.
When dispensing a prescription for a Schedule 8 medicine, a pharmacist must also ensure the validity of the prescription by either personally knowing the patient or prescriber, or by independently verifying the prescription with the prescriber. This verification is mandatory, even if the prescription is visible to the pharmacist in SafeScript NSW.
If a prescription for a Schedule 8 medicine includes repeats, the prescriber must specify a repeat interval. If the repeat interval is not specified, only the original quantity can be dispensed, and the pharmacist must cancel and retain the prescription.
If you have any queries about how to enter details in your prescribing system, please contact your software vendor for guidance.
Electronic prescriptions (eScripts)
- An electronic prescription issued using a conformant prescribing software system is lawfully valid for dispensing in NSW.
- The NSW Ministry of Health approval reference number must be included on the prescription. This can be entered into a designated field within the prescribing software or, if this is not available, in the free text ‘directions for use’ field, e.g. Take 1 capsule in the morning. GACPxxxxxxx.
Computer-generated paper prescriptions
A computer-generated paper prescription must include the following:
- Date of issue
- Prescriber name, address and contact number
- Patient name, address and date of birth
- Medicine name, strength and quantity to be dispensed in numbers and words,e.g. lisdexamfetamine 50 mg. Quantity: 30 (thirty)
- Number of repeats (if any) and the minimum time interval between each supply, e.g. 2 repeats. Repeat interval: 21 days
- Adequate directions for use
- NSW Ministry of Health approval reference number, e.g. GACPxxxxxxx
- Handwritten signature
The prescriber must also handwrite the following on the prescription:
- Medicine name, strength and quantity to be dispensed in numbers and words
- Number of repeats (if any) and the minimum time interval between each supply
- Adequate directions for use
Handwritten prescriptions
Handwritten prescriptions must include the following:
- Date of issue
- Prescriber name, address and contact number
- Patient name, address and date of birth
- Medicine name, strength and quantity to be dispensed in numbers and words, e.g. lisdexamfetamine 50 mg. Quantity: 30 (thirty)
- Number of repeats (if any) and the minimum time interval between each supply, e.g. 2 repeats. Repeat interval: 21 days
- Adequate directions for use
- NSW Ministry of Health approval reference number, e.g. GACPxxxxxxx
- Signature
- Only one medicine is allowed on each Schedule 8 prescription, and the remainder of the prescription must be scored out by the prescriber
Disclaimer: The NSW Ministry of Health drafted these example scripts based on publicly available information on PBS prescription requirements. The Australian Government has not reviewed these example prescriptions for compliance, but the NSW Pharmaceutical Services Unit reviewed for compliance in NSW.