Regulatory requirements and resources
There are various regulatory requirements under the Health (Drugs and Poisons) Regulation 1996 regarding the prescribing of scheduled drugs of dependence (Schedule 8 (S8)), including script requirements, and approvals/reports to the Chief Executive for the treatment of patients with known drug dependency.
Treatment involving drugs of dependence
You need to obtain an approval if you wish to treat a:
- known drug dependent person (PDF 81 kB), with a drug of dependence (controlled drug, S8) or restricted drug (s4) of dependency
- person with any "specified condition drug" other than for attention deficit disorder in a child between the ages of 4-18 or for treatment of narcolepsy.
- The form for obtaining an approval is known as a Request for Chief Executive Approval (PDF 420 kB)
Scripts
Requirements for a valid Schedule 8 (S8) script:
- S8 prescriptions are valid for 6 months
- S8 prescriptions are valid if the following is provided:
- full name, professional qualifications and address of the prescriber
- full name, address and date of birth of the patient
- The following information must be included in a valid S8 prescription. In addition, for computer generated S8 paper prescriptions this information must be written in the doctor's own handwriting:
- the description and quantity (in words and figures) of the medicines to be dispensed
- adequate directions for use
- number of repeats (if any) and intervals at which they may be dispensed
- words "specified condition" if the S8 drug prescribed is amphetamine, dexamfetamine, methylamphetamine, methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine
- signature of the prescriber.
- Only one S8 medication can be written on a prescription, except where multiple items are different forms of the same drug
- No other prescription medication can be written on an S8 prescription
- S8 prescriptions must not be written by a prescriber for self-administration.
- Pharmacists can dispense an interstate S8 scripts as long as it fulfils these requirements.
- Dispensing quantity and frequency (PDF 190 kB) your obligations to report occasions when you are asked to dispense more medications than appears to be reasonably necessary.
Contacts
Telephone: 13 S8INFO (13 78 46)
Fax: 07 3708 5431
Email: MMU@health.qld.gov.au
Last updated: 28 January 2021
