PHARMACISTS in Victoria are the first in the country to be authorised to dispense Schedule 4 medicines using digital images of prescriptions sent directly to them by a prescriber.
The decision, announced by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, Kym Peake, yesterday, follows the Federal Government's special arrangement to recognise electronic prescriptions for Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidies, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the Victorian measure prescribers will no longer be required to send the original copy of the prescription to the pharmacy, but will need to retain it on file for two years, while pharmacists will need to record that the dispensing of the medication was done under the public health emergency order, with a requirement that the electronic version of the script must be held by the pharmacy for two years.
Pharmacy Guild of Australia Victorian Branch President, Anthony Tassone, told Pharmacy Daily that the measure would streamline pharmacists' work, as they respond to increasing numbers of prescriptions dispensed following telehealth consultations.
"There are still challenges adapting to these new workflows that pharmacies are doing their best to respond to," he said.
"This is a good thing.
"It is sensible in the circumstances and aligns to a special order that was make by the Commonwealth.
"I would implore other states and territories to follow suit."
Tassone added the Guild had been in contact with the Australian Medical Association and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners to ensure their members were aware of the issues covered by the emergency measures.
"What doctors must understand is under this emergency order in Victoria, is it doesn't apply to drugs of dependence or S8 medicines," he said.
"So, if they are practising telehealth and prescribe these medicines, then under Victorian-based legislation, a verbal or oral order would be required for the pharmacist to be able to dispense the supply, with the original prescription to be sent to the pharmacy."
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