Application forms for approval to prescribe or supply

Application forms for NSW authorisation to prescribe or supply Schedule 8 (S8) medicines are listed below.

The completed form can be submitted to the Approvals Management Section of the Pharmaceutical Services Unit via email: MOH-S8Auth@health.nsw.gov.au, or via fax: (02) 9424 5860.

If you have any questions please email: MOH-S8Auth@health.nsw.gov.au.

Information on legal requirements for an approval to prescribe drugs of addiction in NSW is also available.

On this page

1. Pain management
2. Psychostimulant medication (dexamfetamine, lisdexamfetamine, methylphenidate)
3. Alprazolam and flunitrazepam
4. NSW Opioid Treatment Program (OTP)
5. Certain restricted substances
6. Unregistered or (pharmacy) extemporaneously-compounded S8 product
7. Cannabis medicines
8. Esketamine or ketamine for treatment resistant depression
9. Human research (Clinical trial)
10. Psilocybine or MDMA
11. Patient co-management and transfer of care agreement

Pain management

An application for approval to prescribe or supply a Schedule 8 opioid (for example, oxycodone, morphine or fentanyl) or another S8 medicine for the management of pain in a patient, can be submitted via SafeScript NSW. Alternatively, you can complete and submit an Application for approval to prescribe or supply a Schedule 8 drug - pain management.

Psychostimulant medication (dexamfetamine, lisdexamfetamine, methylphenidate)

Psychiatrists, paediatricians and neurologists can prescribe a psychostimulant medication (dexamfetamine, lisdexamfetamine, methylphenidate) for the treatment of ADHD in non-drug dependent patients under the conditions specified in the Class Authority to prescribe a Schedule 8 psychostimulant.

All other prescribers require the issue of an individual approval to prescribe or supply psychostimulant medication.

An application for approval to prescribe or supply a psychostimulant medication can be submitted either via SafeScript NSWor by submitting an Application for approval to prescribe or supply a Schedule 8 psychostimulant. You will be contacted by an officer of the Pharmaceutical Services Unit if additional information is required.

For more information see Prescribe a psychostimulant medication.

Alprazolam and flunitrazepam

An application for approval to prescribe or supply alprazolam or flunitrazepam can be submitted via SafeScript NSW. Alternatively, you can complete and submit an Application for approval to prescribe a Schedule 8 drug - alprazolam or flunitrazepam.

NSW Opioid Treatment Program (OTP)

Applications for approval to prescribe or supply Schedule 8 medicines under the NSW OTP can now be submitted and managed via SafeScript NSW.

SafeScript NSW can also be used to exit a person from OTP and transfer a patient to another dosing point within NSW.

Applications for approval to prescribe or supply methadone, buprenorphine, or other opioid agonist therapy (OAT) treatment under the NSW OTP may also be made by completing the following relevant form:

• Application for authority to prescribe methadone, buprenorphine or other opioid agonist therapy (OAT) treatment under the NSW Opioid Treatment Program (updated form)
• Application for authority to prescribe or supply methadone (>200mg/day) or buprenorphine (>32mg/day) under the NSW Opioid Treatment Program (updated form)
• Exit from methadone, buprenorphine or other opioid agonist therapy (OAT) treatment under the NSW Opioid Treatment Program

Interstate prescribers who wish to temporarily transfer a patient to the NSW OTP are required to complete an Application for temporary interstate transfer to NSW Opioid Treatment Program (updated form).

Certain restricted substances

To apply for authorisation to prescribe certain restricted substances (acitretin, clomifene, cyclofenil, dinoprost, dinoprostone, etretinate, follitropin beta, hydroxychloroquine, isotretinoin for oral use, luteinising hormone, tretinoin for oral use, urofollitrophin (human follicle stimulating hormone) complete an Application for authority to prescribe certain restricted substances.

The Authority under the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008 enables prescribers at a public or private hospital to direct the administration of certain restricted substances to an inpatient commenced on the medication in the community.

Unregistered or (pharmacy) extemporaneously-compounded S8 product

To apply for authorisation to prescribe or supply an extemporaneously-compounded Schedule 8 product or an unregistered S8 medicine (other than a cannabis medicine) complete an Application for authority to prescribe an unregistered or (pharmacy) extemporaneously - compounded Schedule 8 product for human therapeutic use.

Cannabis medicines

To apply for authorisation to prescribe or supply a cannabis-based product for therapeutic use complete an Application for authority to prescribe or supply a Schedule 8 cannabis medicine for human therapeutic use.

Esketamine or ketamine for treatment resistant depression

An application for approval to prescribe or supply esketamine or ketamine can be submitted via SafeScript NSW. Alternatively, you can complete and submit an Application for authority to prescribe or supply esketamine or ketamine for treatment resistant depression.

Human research (Clinical trial)

To apply for authorisation to prescribe and supply a substance for the purpose of human research complete an Application for authority to prescribe and supply a substance for the purpose of human research.

Psilocybine or MDMA

To prescribe psilocybine for the treatment of depression resistant to other treatments, or MDMA for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a prescriber with approval under the TGA Authorised Prescriber scheme will require an approval from NSW Ministry of Health. To apply complete an Application fo​r ​Approval to Prescribe or Supply Unregistered Psychedelics-Psilocybine or MDMA.

Patient co-management and transfer of care

Co-management

A co-management arrangement is an agreement that is established between an Ahpra registered relevant medical specialist and another prescriber. The other prescriber is usually a general practitioner (GP), other registered medical practitioner, or nurse practitioner* who agrees to partner in the care of a patient. This arrangement improves access to treatment and adds benefits to patients by combining continuity of care by their regular prescriber with specialist intervention and oversight.

Under a co-management arrangement, the relevant treating specialist is responsible for providing detailed advice and support to the other prescriber. This includes specific instruction about the treatment arrangements, pharmacotherapy treatment decisions such as medicine and dose, and ongoing review arrangements as deemed clinically appropriate. Both practitioners involved in the patient’s care are responsible for ensuring that prescriptions are issued by one prescriber at any given time.

Pharmaceutical Services recognises these arrangements when considering applications for approval from GPs or other registered medical practitioners.

*under the current Poisons and Therapeutic Goods legislation a nurse practitioner cannot lawfully prescribe psychostimulant medicines or compounded Schedule 8 substances.

Transfer of care

A transfer of care agreement involves an Ahpra registered relevant treating specialist initiating treatment and ensuring the patient is stable before directing another prescriber to continue care. Changes in medicine or increases in dose should be supported by the treating specialist.

An approval is a reference to an authority under the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1966.