ACT announces emergency dispensing measures.
Pharmacists in the ACT will be able to dispense maximum quantities of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) listed medicines to patients without a prescription under emergency measures announced today.
The move will ensure patients who may not be able to access their usual prescriber, receive a month’s supply of a previously prescribed PBS medicine where the pharmacist is satisfied there is an immediate need.
The measure, which has been introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, brings the ACT into line with other states and the Northern Territory, where pharmacists have been granted the authority to dispense in emergency circumstances, and will remain in place until 30 Jun.
The Territory’s Government had implemented a similar authority in January to support patients impacted by the bushfire crisis, however, that measure expired on 31 Mar.
See Monday’s edition of Pharmacy Daily for more.