To prescribe HSDs under the PBS, a prescriber must be:
- affiliated with the hospital the patient is receiving treatment from and be either:
- a staff hospital specialist, or
- a visiting or consulting specialist of the hospital
- an accredited prescriber of medication for the treatment of hepatitis C who is approved by a state or territory to prescribe medication for the treatment of hepatitis C and act under a special arrangement for maintenance therapy only
- an accredited prescriber of medication for the treatment of HIV or AIDS who is approved by a state or territory to prescribe medication for the treatment of HIV or AIDS under a special arrangement
- a medical practitioner prescribing maintenance therapy when it is impractical to get a prescription from the treating affiliated specialist medical practitioner and the specialist has agreed to the prescription, or
- a medical practitioner whom the Commonwealth and the state or territory government has agreed may prescribe medication for maintenance therapy