PHARMACISTS in NSW will be allowed to dispense medicines using email or fax copies of the original prescription from 17 Apr, under measures announced by State Health Minister, Brad Hazzard, on Sun, as part of the State's response to the COVID-19 crisis.
The move follows similar authorisation announced by the Victorian Government last week (PD 08 Apr), but will exclude scripts provided in text message format, to prevent potential fraud and diversion of medicines.
"These changes are designed to make accessing your medications easier and safer, particularly for those in the community with chronic conditions," Hazzard said.
"It ensures people with compromised immune systems will not need to go to the doctor's surgery in person and can get their script entirely through a telehealth appointment."
Welcoming the announcement, Pharmacy Guild of Australia NSW Branch President, David Heffernan, the move would help maintain access to medicines throughout the pandemic.
"This is very important to maintaining supply in the pharmacy industry," he said.
"But also in maintaining social distancing.
"It's also important to note that scripts will not be filled if they are sent from a GP to the patient, it must be from the GP to a pharmacy."
Meanwhile the Australian Digital Health Agency interim CEO, Bettina McMahon, has said electronic prescriptions are expected to be progressively rolled out from the end of May, as part of a move to fast-track the introduction of electronic prescribing.
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