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Matching your patient’s condition with any restriction criteria listed in the Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits (the Schedule) is a mandatory requirement. You must write a non-PBS prescription if your patient does not meet the restriction criteria outlined in the Schedule.
There are 3 broad categories of pharmaceutical benefits:
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Unrestricted |
Items that can be prescribed through the PBS or Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) without restrictions on therapeutic use |
| Restricted benefit |
Items that can be prescribed through the PBS or RPBS only if the prescriber is satisfied that the patient’s clinical condition matches the therapeutic uses listed in the Schedule |
| Authority required |
There are 2 categories for Authority required items:
|
Prescription approval
Prescriptions for unrestricted, restricted and Authority required (STREAMLINED) items:
- do not require an authority approval from us or DVA unless your patient needs a quantity or number of repeats more than the maximum number listed in the Schedule
- must be endorsed with the relevant streamlined authority code on the prescription when prescribing Authority required (STREAMLINED) items.
Prescriptions for Authority required items:
- are not valid until approval is given by us or DVA
- must include the authority approval number on the prescription at the time of prescribing.
Overview of prescribing PBS items
Unrestricted or Restricted items
You can write a standard PBS prescription if the maximum quantity and number of repeats listed in the Schedule is enough for your patient’s treatment.
If the maximum quantity or number of repeats listed in the Schedule isn’t enough for your patient’s treatment, contact us or DVA for authority approval.
Authority required items
For Authority required items or if the maximum quantity or number of repeats listed in the Schedule isn’t enough for your patient’s treatment, contact us or DVA for authority approval. If approved, write a PBS authority prescription and endorse the authority approval number on the prescription. If it isn’t approved, you must write a non-PBS prescription.
Authority required (STREAMLINED) items
For Authority required (STREAMLINED) items, you must write a PBS authority prescription and endorse the relevant streamlined authority code on the prescription if the maximum quantity and number of repeats listed in the Schedule is enough for your patient’s treatment.
If the maximum quantity or number of repeats listed in the Schedule isn’t enough for your patient’s treatment, contact us or DVA for authority approval.
It is not necessary to prescribe the maximum quantity or repeats if a lesser amount is enough for your patient’s needs.
Information for prescribers
Unrestricted or restricted items can be prescribed on a standard PBS prescription appropriate for your profession.
Authority required and Authority required (STREAMLINED) items must be prescribed using a PBS authority prescription or an approved PBS hospital prescription.
You can also use PBS stationery to prescribe non-PBS prescriptions. Cross out the PBS and RPBS boxes and endorse the prescription as ‘non-PBS’ or ‘Private’ to make it clear to the dispensing pharmacist.
Information for pharmacists
It’s important that the streamlined authority code or authority approval number has been endorsed on the prescription by the prescriber. Contact the prescriber if this information is missing.
When dispensing Authority required and Authority required (STREAMLINED) items, you must enter the authority prescription number into your pharmacy dispensing software. For Authority required (STREAMLINED) items you also need to enter the streamlined authority code.
Online Claiming for PBS will validate the authority prescription information. Make sure you act on any warning or rejection messages at the time of dispensing. You can call us if you’re unsure.
More information
Read more about:
- PBS Online to view the Schedule and additional information on prescribing and dispensing requirements
- Education services for health professionals to access other education resources including prescription writing guides.
Contact us for details on how to apply for PBS Authority approvals.
Contact the Veterans’ Affairs Pharmaceutical Advisory Centre for details on how to apply for RPBS Authority approvals.
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