Background

There are two search methods available on the PBS Schedule web site:

• Simple search: The simple search is available from the main menu and enables you to enter one or more words to look for and search for them immediately.
• Advanced search: Advanced search is available from the main menu and allows you to narrow your search results down to what you really need.

Note: You can also use the Browse menu to find what you need. You can browse by A-Z medicine listing as well as the following under Other browse options:

• Body System
• Manufacturer
• New, Amended and Deleted Items
• Doctors bag
• Section 100
• RPBS
• Dental book
• Palliative care
• Optometrist items
• Premiums
• Explanatory notes

General tips:

• Entering more terms will give you a more specific result. You will also have fewer results to sort through.
• If you put in a lot of words and get no results, try removing one or two words - your search will then return more results.

Simple Search Tips

Simple search is available from the main menu and enables you to enter one or more words to look for medicine details and search for them immediately. The following image shows the simple search box:

 

Simple search tips:

• You can enter any search term - this could be the brand name or substance of a PBS medicine, some explanatory notes, or an item code.
• You do not need to spell the search term 100% correctly - the result page will ask you exactly which term (medicine brand/substance/explanatory note etc.) you mean if there is any confusion.
• Enter or select the required search terms and hit Enter on your keyboard or click on the Search button.
• You can also specify the range of information to search on - Current Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule only, All site information.
• All site information includes some explanatory text and latest news items. Please note that while every medicine has a manufacturer, not every medicine has explanatory text or latest news items that relate to it

Advanced Search Tips

Advanced search is available from the main menu. It enables you to enter more complex queries to find details of PBS medicines and information. The following image shows the advanced search box:

 

Advanced search tips:

• You can enter any search term - this could be the brand name or substance of a PBS medicine, some explanatory notes, or an item code.
• You do not need to spell the search term 100% correctly - the result page will ask you exactly which term (medicine brand/substance/explanatory note etc.) you mean if there is any confusion.
• Enter or select the required search terms and hit Enter on your keyboard or click on the Search button.
• You can narrow your search results by selecting a specific Body System or manufacturer. These can be entered into the search form or selected from the appropriate list.
• You can also specify the range of information to search on - Current Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule only, All site information, Current and Previous Schedules, or Previous Schedules Only.
• All site information includes some explanatory text and latest news items.
• You can also specify to only show products which are:
  • Special pharmaceutical benefits: these are items from the Special Pharmaceutical Benefits part of Schedule Section 2.
  • Pharmaceutical benefits for palliative care: these are items from the Palliative Care book.
  • Pharmaceutical benefits for dental treatment: these are items from the Dental Book.
  • Pharmaceutical benefits for optometrical treatment: these are items from the Optometrist Items List.
    
  • Special arrangement items (Section 100): these are items from the Section 100 Items book.
  • Listed on the RPBS: these are items from the Repatriation Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits.
  • Emergency Drug (Doctor's bag): these are items from the Emergency Drug (Doctor’s Bag) part of Section 2.
  • Vaccines: this narrows the search results to only include those PBS items specifically identified as vaccines.

Please note that while every medicine has a manufacturer, not every medicine has explanatory text or latest news items that relate to it.