Prescriber Bag

Certain pharmaceutical benefits are provided without charge to prescribers who in turn can supply them free to patients for emergency use.

The prescriber bag supply order form must be completed in triplicate and signed by the prescriber. The original and duplicate is to be given to the approved supplier and retained by the approved supplier of the pharmaceutical benefit. Each form is valid for the month indicated on the form.

Prescribers may order the maximum quantity of an item provided they do not already have the maximum quantity on hand. Additionally, where there is more than one item in a group in the Prescriber Bag Determination Schedule, prescribers may only order the maximum quantity of an item if they do not already have the maximum quantity on hand for the other items within that group. The items can only be obtained once a month. Prescribers may also ask for a particular brand of a pharmaceutical benefit. If it is unavailable, they must specify another listed brand, and initial the alteration.

Further information and examples can be found in the Explanatory Statement to the National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Amendment (2024 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2024.

A receipt must be signed by the prescriber, or by an authorised representative, when supplies are received.

Eligible prescribers can order a Prescriber Bag Supply Order Book by completing a request form available from Services Australia.