As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds in Australia, many doctors have been conducting telehealth appointments with patients. Due to this, it is not possible to hand paper prescription to patients. NSW Health has tackled this problem by enabling image-based prescriptions which can either be emailed or faxed to the patient’s chosen pharmacy.
NSW Health, in collaboration with the Commonwealth, quickly responded to the need for a new model of care. This resulted in amending the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008 Act temporarily for 12 months, to support telehealth measures. By early 2021, digital prescriptions will be fully rolled out in the community.
The temporary image-based prescriptions allow the prescriber to issue a regular prescription including a hand-written signature. An image of the prescription is then prepared by the prescriber, and is sent to the patient’s pharmacy of choice by email or fax. Pharmacists then dispenses the prescription and arranges supply to the patient. Prescribers keep the physical prescription for two years.
This initiative has improved convenience for patients and offers a safer alternative for high-risk patients accessing their medication. It has also reduced the potential for crowding in doctors’ surgeries as many people can now get most of their prescriptions entirely through a telehealth appointment.