PHARMACISTS will bear an additional administrative burden as the Department of Health has advised that the COVID-19 Special Arrangement that included adjusted PBS signature requirements will expire at the end of the month.
A community pharmacist at APP2023 yesterday told Pharmacy Daily: "This is going to be a pain...all claimable scripts need to be signed as of 31 Mar".
After this time, the Guild advises that patient signature requirements as a receipt of a pharmaceutical benefit and for Prescription Record Forms (PRFs) will be reinstated.
Safety Net PRFs signed by a pharmacist on behalf of their patient will no longer be accepted, and there will be no transition period once the Special Arrangement expires next Fri.
PBS signature requirements will revert to previous requirements as set out in the National Health Act 1953.
The Guild has expressed its disappointment with this decision to the Health Minister Mark Butler and the Department of Health.
"It is our position that the Special Arrangement has demonstrated the previous signature requirement to be an unnecessary administrative burden on pharmacists and patients," the Guild said.
"We will continue to advocate on our members' behalf for a long-term solution and will advise of any updates."
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 24 Mar 23
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 24 Mar 23
