An authority from the NSW Ministry of Health is required to prescribe or supply particular drugs.
A pharmacist in NSW cannot dispense a prescription for those drugs unless the prescription bears an authority number issued by the NSW Ministry of Health.
Applications for an authority to prescribe or supply psychostimulant medications (dexamfetamine, lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate) or Schedule 8 medicines under the NSW Opioid Treatment program can be submitted via SafeScript NSW. For applications for authority/approval to prescribe or supply Schedule 8 medicines see More information
The NSW Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) seeks to reduce the social, economic and health harms associated with opioid use.
More information
SafeScript NSW provides real-time information about a patient’s prescription history for certain high-risk medicines such as opioids and benzodiazepines. This helps support clinical decision making and patient safety.
Prescribers can also submit applications to prescribe and/or supply Schedule 8 medicines (such as the psychostimulant medications dexamfetamine, lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate and medicines under the NSW Opioid Treatment Program (OTP)). Applying online allows prescribers to receive quicker responses with approvals issued in real-time some cases.
Guides to the handling of drugs, including legal requirements for the prescribing and supply of drugs of addiction and restricted substances.
The loss or theft of an S4 drug must immediately be notified to the Secretary of NSW Health.You can also report lost, stolen or forged prescription stationery or prescriptions and help reduce trafficking of drugs of abuse.
