The Department of Health has launched digital image prescriptions as part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Steven Miles said the change would better align Queensland to the special arrangements recently announced by the Commonwealth Government that allow the supply of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines through a digital image.
“We have made the necessary regulatory changes so that vulnerable people can have their medicines prescribed by their usual doctor and dispensed and delivered by their usual pharmacy without having to leave their home,” Mr Miles said.
“This provides Queenslanders with more options so they can receive the care they need and reduces the need to leave the house and sit in a waiting room alongside other patients.”
He said digital image scripts would allow Queenslanders to visit their usual pharmacy or get medications delivered to their home.
“This helps to ensure we can keep our community safer, particularly for those more likely to develop a severe Coronavirus infection,” the Minister said.
He noted that telehealth consultations delivered by Queensland Health clinicians had increased during the COVID-19 response.
“These patients will now have their prescription flow-handled by modern technology as the old-school fax and follow-up between doctors and pharmacies is replaced by digital copies of prescriptions sent by a choice of modern communication streams,” Mr Miles said.
He said the changes to regulations removed a barrier to bringing Queensland into line with recent Commonwealth special arrangements designed to facilitate the flow of prescriptions between doctors and pharmacists.
“The changes will allow digital images of prescriptions to be sent and dispensed for PBS or private prescriptions, and applies to prescriptions sent by all prescribers,” Mr Miles said.
“Although digital prescriptions are now available, the existing prescription process will stay intact for those still wishing to process their prescriptions as they’ve always done,” he said.
