Parchment provides several key prescription fields to ensure compliance with Australian prescribing laws and streamline the dispensing process. Below is a breakdown of these fields, their purposes, and relevant regulatory references.
Dispense All Repeats (Reg 49)
Regulation 49 (Reg 49) refers to a provision under the National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Regulations 2017, which allows a pharmacist to dispense all repeats of a prescription at once if deemed necessary for the patient’s treatment.
When to use this?
Typically used when a patient is travelling or has limited access to a pharmacy.
Requires the prescriber to indicate this on the prescription.
Pharmacist’s role:
The pharmacist must assess whether dispensing all repeats at once is appropriate.
Not all PBS medications are eligible under Reg 49.
Authority for Urgent Supply
This refers to a government-issued approval for supplying a restricted medication urgently.
Key points:
Required when prescribing certain PBS or non-PBS medications that require prior authorisation.
Approvals are state or territory-specific, and the process varies by jurisdiction.
This is not the same as a phone authority approval, which is a method of obtaining approval but does not replace the required state-issued prescriber authority number.
State-Based Authorisation Numbers
Certain medications require a state or territory-issued prescriber authority number before prescribing. These numbers differ by jurisdiction:
New South Wales (NSW): "Authority Required" number from the NSW Ministry of Health.
Victoria (VIC): A Schedule 8 permit number from the Department of Health.
Queensland (QLD): Queensland Health approval for controlled substances.
Western Australia (WA): WA Health-issued permit for certain S8 drugs.
South Australia (SA), Tasmania (TAS), Northern Territory (NT), and Australian Capital Territory (ACT): Each has its own controlled substance authorisation system.
For more information, prescribers should check with their respective state health departments.
State Based Links
New South Wales (NSW)
NSW Health – Medicines and PoisonsVictoria (VIC)
VIC Department of Health – Medicines and Poisons RegulationQueensland (QLD)
Queensland Health – Medicines and PoisonsWestern Australia (WA)
WA Department of Health – Medicines and Poisons Regulation BranchSouth Australia (SA)
SA Health – Controlled SubstancesTasmania (TAS)
Tasmanian Department of Health – Controlled SubstancesAustralian Capital Territory (ACT)
ACT Health – Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic GoodsNorthern Territory (NT)
NT Department of Health – Medicines and Poisons
Unusual Dose?
This flag is used when a prescription includes a dose that falls outside the usual recommended range for the medication.
Why is this important?
Some medications have strict dosing guidelines, and exceeding them may require additional justification.
Pharmacists may need to confirm with the prescriber before dispensing.
It helps prevent medication errors and enhances patient safety.
Unusual Quantity?
This applies when the prescribed quantity exceeds the standard PBS or non-PBS limits.
When is this required?
If a prescriber needs to provide a higher-than-usual supply for a legitimate reason.
May require an authority prescription from Services Australia or a state health department.
Pharmacists may need to verify the justification before dispensing.
Do Not Upload to MySL?
MySL (My Script List) is the national electronic prescription storage system that allows patients and healthcare providers to view and manage prescriptions digitally.
Why would this option be used?
In cases where a patient prefers not to have their prescription stored electronically.
If the prescriber or patient opts out of MySL for privacy reasons.
Some controlled medications may have specific restrictions around digital storage.
Final Notes
Prescribers should ensure compliance with state and federal laws when using these fields. Pharmacists must verify regulatory requirements before dispensing prescriptions with unusual doses, quantities, or special authorisations.
External Links
For more details on state-specific prescribing laws, refer to:
PBS Authority Guidelines
Services Australia – PBS AuthoritiesState and Territory Health Departments (for controlled substances and permits).
New South Wales (NSW)
NSW Health – Medicines and PoisonsVictoria (VIC)
VIC Department of Health – Medicines and Poisons RegulationQueensland (QLD)
Queensland Health – Medicines and PoisonsWestern Australia (WA)
WA Department of Health – Medicines and Poisons Regulation BranchSouth Australia (SA)
SA Health – Controlled SubstancesTasmania (TAS)
Tasmanian Department of Health – Controlled SubstancesAustralian Capital Territory (ACT)
ACT Health – Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic GoodsNorthern Territory (NT)
NT Department of Health – Medicines and Poisons