What is an electronic prescription?

A digital/electronic version of a paper prescription. You can choose to receive an electronic prescription from your healthcare provider when you next need a prescription, or you can request it to be sent to your Active Script List (more information on Active Script List can be found below). You can access your electronic prescriptions and Active Script list in your My Health Record or my health app.

Key benefits of electronic prescriptions

Most medicines can be prescribed using an electronic prescription. A message with a link is sent to your mobile device containing your electronic prescription. This allows you to access your prescription when you need it, saving you time, streamlining the process and improving medicine safety. Benefits:

  • There is no need to carry paper, reducing the risk of losing scripts.
  • Electronic prescriptions provide a more convenient option if you travel frequently.
  • If you are unable to physically attend the pharmacy, you can forward your electronic prescription token to a family member, carer or friend to collect your medication on your behalf.

How to get an electronic prescription?

Steps to follow:

  1. At your doctor’s appointment, you can ask your doctor to give you an electronic prescription.
  2. Your doctor will then send you an SMS or email to your mobile device. The message will include a link to a ‘token’. The token contains all your prescription information.
  3. Before the end of your appointment, check that you have received your token on your mobile device. Note: If you are taking more than one prescribed medicine, you will receive a separate token for each.

Getting your medication from the pharmacy

Steps to follow:

  1. Attend your local pharmacy, or pharmacy of choice, and open up your token on the screen of your device.
  2. The pharmacy will scan the token, prepare your script and provide you with your medication.
  3. Your pharmacy may have a service that allows you to forward your token to them. In this instance, they can prepare your script, so it is ready when you arrive.

What if I cannot physically get to the pharmacy?

If you are unable to physically attend the pharmacy you can forward your token to a family member, carer or friend to collect your medication on your behalf.

Repeat prescriptions

If you have repeats on your prescription, your pharmacy will send you a new token by SMS or email to use when you require more medicine. The new token is required to fill your next script
at your preferred pharmacy when it is time to get your next supply of medicine.

What if I accidentally lose or delete the token?

If you accidentally lose or delete the SMS or email with your electronic prescription token, you can ask for it to be resent.

  • For original prescriptions, contact the prescriber e.g. your medical professional.
  • For repeats, contact the pharmacy that issued the repeat.

What is an Active Script List?

An Active Script List is a digital list of your electronic prescriptions and computer-generated paper prescriptions. It is a convenient option if you take multiple
medications.

Having an Active Script List means you can walk into a participating pharmacy, give consent for staff to access your list, and have that pharmacy dispense your medicines.
Once you have registered for an Active Script List with your pharmacy, you no longer have to keep track of each electronic prescription token.

How to get an Active Script List?

Visit your pharmacy with your mobile device and 100 points of Identification (ID) – visit this website for acceptable ID. After you have registered, any electronic prescription that you receive will be automatically added to your Active Script List. You may also receive an SMS or email with a link to a token if you choose. When you visit your pharmacy, ask staff to access your Active Script List and dispense your medicine

Benefits of an Active Script List?

  • You no longer need to keep track of multiple prescription tokens.
  • Most community pharmacies across Australia can register you for an Active Script List.
  • If your pharmacy offers home delivery, you do not need to leave home to receive your medicines.

Please visit the following links to helpful videos and information on how to get an Electronic Prescriptions and Active Script List:
Electronic Prescriptions

Watch our video below for more…

Helpful links

At Parkinson’s Australia, we believe in National Advocacy. Connection. Awareness. Tools like the my health app help people living with Parkinson’s stay informed, supported, and in control of their care. We have partnered with the Digital Health Agency to create this suite of resources to help you.

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