Medicines and poisons

This page has information for pharmacists about prescription requirements, schedule 8 (S8) medicines and the pharmacist immunisations.

Pharmacists must familiarise themselves with the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2012 and Regulations and the Code of Practice S8 Substances.

NT Script has been operational in the Northern Territory (NT) for some time and there is a legal requirement for every pharmacist to check when presented with a prescription for a schedule 8 or monitored medicine. Read further information about NT Script.

To get the S8 Code of Conduct see medical practitioners and schedule 8 medicines.

Unrestricted S8 substances

Prescribers must notify Medicines and Poisons of the supply of unrestricted S8 substances such as morphine and oxycodone if supply exceeds 8 weeks, or if other circumstances arise that are in the Code of Practice.

Prescribers may require authorisation if they choose to prescribe for more than an approved number of patients.

Compliance is the responsibility of the prescriber, and pharmacists are not expected to routinely monitor these matters as a part of dispensing.

However pharmacists email poisonscontrol@nt.gov.au if they have particular queries or concerns.

Restricted S8 substances

These categories of S8 substances have the following supply restrictions applied to them.

Stimulants

Stimulants include dexamfetamine, lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate.

General medical practitioners and nurse practitioners can co-prescribe in conjunction with a specialist paediatrician, psychiatrist, neurologist, physician or registrar in training in one of these disciplines.

Prescribers are required to obtain authorisation before prescribing these substances.

Pharmacists are not required to check whether a prescriber has obtained authorisation, however they may contact Medicines and Poisons with queries or concerns.

Opioid Substitution Treatment (OST)

Methadone, buprenorphine and buprenorphine/naloxone.

Eligible health practitioners who wish to prescribe OST must:

• be accredited by the CHO and
• must also apply and receive authorisation for each patient they wish to prescribe the restricted S8 OST substance for.

More information for prescribers about accreditation and training to become an OST prescriber, contact the local Alcohol and Other Drugs Service:

Top End Alcohol and other Drug Services 
Building 9, Royal Darwin Hospital
Phone: 08 8922 8399

Alcohol and other Drugs Services Central Australia (ADSCA)
The Gap NT 0870
Phone: 08 8951 7580

Medicines and Poisons can provide information on whether prescribers are accredited.

Prescription requirements

The S8 Code has these requirements for prescriptions of controlled drugs:

• prescriptions for unrestricted S8 substances such as morphine are valid for 6 months, with dispensing of one month’s supply at any one time
• prescriptions for restricted S8 psycho-stimulants (dexamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate) are valid for 6 months
• prescriptions for restricted S8 substances buprenorphine, buprenorphine/naloxone and methadone 5mg/mL are valid for 3 months - they must be dispensed within 3 days of the date of issue or the start date (if different)
• according to the S8 Code the following items must be written on all S8 prescriptions, in addition to usual requirements for prescriptions:
  • the date of birth of the patient
  • the type of preparation i.e. liquid or sublingual tablets
  • doses in words and numbers for buprenorphine, buprenorphine/naloxone and methadone
  • quantities in words and numbers for unrestricted S8 substances and psycho-stimulant medication, unless issued by a conformant electronic prescribing system
• a prescription must be written in ink, not in pencil or another easily erasable material
• if there are any changes to the details, the initials of the person who issued the prescription and the date the change was made must appear beside each change
• prescribers must sign prescriptions in their handwriting unless they are using an electronic prescribing system
• prescribers of buprenorphine, buprenorphine/naloxone and methadone liquid, also need to include the name of the dispensing pharmacy as well as a detailed dosage regimen and any takeaway privileges.

Interstate prescriptions

Dispensing from prescriptions written by prescribers based interstate is permitted for schedule 4 medicines.

Prescriptions for unrestricted schedule 8 medicines written by interstate prescribers can be dispensed in the NT in line with Regulation 7A of the regulations which outlines that a pharmacist must verify:

1. the validity of the prescription - the prescription must meet all legal requirements that apply to prescriptions written in the NT
2. the identify of the person presenting the prescription.

Prescriptions for restricted schedule 8 medicines that are psychostimulants (methylphenidate, dexamphetamine, lisdexamphetamine) medicines written by interstate prescribers can be dispensed in the NT where the prescriber would normally be endorsed to initiate treatment in the Territory. This includes:

• paediatricians
• psychiatrists
• neurologists
• physicians.

The prescription will often include the prescriber’s qualifications. Otherwise prescriber qualifications can be checked on the AHPRA website.

National Poisons Standard

Publications

Related information

Read more about scheduled substances on Clinical Advisory Committee (CLAC).

For information on the following topics, go to the Northern Territory Government website:

• therapeutic goods recalls
• buying medicines online.