Forms for the purpose of applying for authorisation to possess, prescribe, supply or administer medicines, poisons or prohibited substances, as required under the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1966 or the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 are available via the Pharmaceutical Services page.

Processing timeframes

Information is provided below on maximum timeframes for processing applications and determining outcomes. The processing time is dependent on all necessary information being available to the NSW Ministry of Health (the Ministry). Where it is necessary for the Ministry to request additional information, the ‘clock’ will be stopped. If there are requests for information while the clock is stopped, it stays stopped until all requests have been resolved. Periods where the clock is stopped are not included in the maximum processing time. ‘Stop the clock’ provisions are provided below.

 

​Application form

​Maximum Processing Time

​(Time from receipt date of application to date of decision, excluding periods where clock is stopped)

​‘Stop the Clock’ Provisions
​Application for Authority to Prescribe a Schedule 8 Drug – Pain Management. (Form PN10)
​7 business days
Incomplete or inadequate application form
Request for additional information, e.g. report from a specialist, second opinion report, referral to another service such as a pain clinic or drug & alcohol specialist
Revocation of an existing authority
Referral to the Medical Committee

Application for Authority to Prescribe a Schedule 8 Drug – Psychostimulant
(This form is used to apply for an authority to prescribe a psychostimulant for an adult with any diagnosis, or for a child who does not have a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). (Form PSY10)

​7 business days​Incomplete or inadequate application form
Request for additional information, e.g. report from a specialist, second opinion report, referral to another service such as a pain clinic or drug & alcohol specialist
Revocation of an existing authority
Referral to the Medical Committee
​Application for Authority to Prescribe a Psychostimulant for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD) in a Child or Adolescent. (Form 1A)		​7 business days​Incomplete or inadequate application form
Request for additional information, e.g. report from a specialist, second opinion report, referral to another service
Revocation of an existing authority
Referral to the Stimulants Subcommittee
​Application for Authority to Prescribe a Psychostimulant in a High Dose for the Treatment of
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in a Child or Adolescent. (Form HD10)		​7 business days​Incomplete or inadequate application form
Request for additional information e.g. report from a specialist, second opinion report, referral to another service
Revocation of an existing authority
Referral to the Stimulants Subcommittee
​Application for Authority to Prescribe a Schedule 8 Drug – Alprazolam or Flunitrazepam. (Form BD10)​7 business days​Incomplete or inadequate application form
Request for additional information, e.g. report from a specialist, second opinion report, referral to another service such as a drug & alcohol specialist
Revocation of an existing authority
Referral to the Medical Committee
​Application for Authority to Prescribe and Supply an Unregistered or (Pharmacy) Extemporaneously Compounded Schedule 8 Product for Human Therapeutic Use. (Form UC10)​30 business days​Incomplete or inadequate application form
Request for additional information, e.g. report from a specialist, second opinion report, referral to another service such as a pain clinic or drug & alcohol specialist
Revocation of an existing authority
Referral to the Medical Committee
​Application to Prescribe and Supply a Schedule 8 Cannabis Medicine for Human Therapeutic Use. (Form CM09)​2 business days

​Incomplete or inadequate application form
Request for additional information
Another prescriber holding authority
Need for an exemption under the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (CYPCPA), where treatment is for a child under 16 years of age.

NOTE: Exemption is issued by Secretary, Department of Community and Justice, and may take up to 21 days.

​Application to Prescribe Dexamfetamine, Lisdexamfetamine or Methylphenidate for the Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) under Clause 84(2)(b). (Form TG193)​10 business days​Incomplete or inadequate application form
Request for additional information, e.g. documentation from the RACP or RANZCP
​Application for authority to prescribe methadone or buprenorphine under the NSW Opioid Treatment Program (OTP). (Form NH700459)​2 business days​Incomplete or inadequate application form
Request for additional information
Absence of requisite exit form
​Exit from methadone or buprenorphine treatment under the NSW Opioid Treatment Program (OTP). (Form NH700458)​2 business days​Incomplete or inadequate form
Request for additional information
​Application for Temporary Interstate Transfer to NSW Opioid Treatment Program. (Form INT05)​2 business days​Incomplete or inadequate application form
Request for additional information
​Application for Authority to Prescribe Certain Restricted Substances. (Form CRS07)​10 business days​Incomplete or inadequate application form
Request for additional information
​Application to Become a Registered Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) Dosing Point.​5 business days​Incomplete or inadequate application form
Request for additional information
Non-finalisation of transfer of pharmacy ownership and/or change of pharmacy name
​Application for Authority to Possess or Supply Schedule 8 or Schedule 9 Substances, Prohibited Drugs/Plants for the Purpose of Research, Instruction, Analysis or Treatment of Animals. (Form APDP03)​10 business days​Incomplete or inadequate application form
Request for additional information
​Application for an Authority or Renewal of an Authority to Obtain Cyanide. (Form CYA09)​10 business days​​Incomplete or inadequate application form
Request for additional information
​Application for Authority to Obtain Highly Dangerous Substances other than Cyanide. (Form HDS12)​​10 business days​​Incomplete or inadequate application form
Request for additional information
​​Application for Authority to Supply Therapeutic Substances by Wholesale for Veterinary Use. (Form TSV12)​30 business days​Incomplete or inadequate application form
Request for additional information, e.g. security risk assessment, Drugs and Poisons Control Procedure
​Application for Authority or Renewal of Authority for a Pharmacist to Supply Drugs of Addiction and Restricted Substances to Masters of Ships. (Form SMS12)​10 business days​Incomplete or inadequate application form
Request for additional information
Non-finalisation of transfer of pharmacy ownership and/or change of pharmacy name
Application for Authority to Possess and Use Pentobarbital (Pentobarbitone) for the Humane Destruction of Animals. (Form 10)​10 business days​Incomplete or inadequate application form
Request for additional information
​Application for Authority to Possess and Administer Drugs by Private Paramedics in NSW. (Form SPP 11)​30 business days​​Incomplete or inadequate application form
Request for additional information
​Application for Authority to Prescribe and Supply a Substance for the Purpose of Human Research. (Form HR)​30 business days​​​Incomplete or inadequate application form
Request for additional information
​​​

​

Current as at: Friday 25 August 2023
Contact page owner: Pharmaceutical Services