Telehealth prescriptions are prescriptions that an appropriately qualified healthcare practitioner may issue after a telehealth consultation, when clinically appropriate. A telehealth consultation can take place by phone or video, and any decision about whether to prescribe is based on an individual clinical assessment, not on the format of the appointment.
Not every telehealth consultation results in a prescription, and a prescription cannot be requested and issued on demand. Whether a practitioner prescribes, and what they prescribe, is always a clinical judgement based on the person's circumstances. This article explains how online prescribing works within Australia's healthcare system, what an electronic prescription is, who can issue one, and when an in-person appointment may still be needed.
How Do Telehealth Prescriptions Work?
Prescribing after a telehealth consultation follows the same general pathway as in-person prescribing. A typical sequence looks like this:
- You book a telehealth consultation with a healthcare practitioner.
- During the consultation, you discuss relevant information such as your medical history, any current medicines, and, where appropriate, your symptoms.
- The practitioner assesses your individual circumstances and considers whether prescribing is clinically appropriate for you.
- If, and only if, prescribing is considered appropriate, the practitioner may issue an electronic prescription (an eScript) or use another approved prescribing method.
This process is not automatic or guaranteed. A practitioner may decide that prescribing is not appropriate, that more information is needed, or that a different course of action would be safer. The consultation is an assessment, not a request form.
What Is an Electronic Prescription (eScript)?
An electronic prescription, often called an eScript, is a digital version of a paper prescription. According to Healthdirect, instead of a paper form, your prescriber sends you the prescription electronically, and it has the same legal standing as a paper prescription. Electronic prescribing operates as part of Australia's national digital health infrastructure, overseen by the Australian Digital Health Agency, and most pharmacies across Australia can dispense eScripts.
There are two main ways an electronic prescription can be provided:
- A token. You receive a link to a unique token, usually by SMS or email, which you take (or forward) to a pharmacy. The pharmacist scans it and dispenses your medicine. You generally receive a separate token for each medicine prescribed.
- An Active Script List (ASL). This digital list holds your active electronic prescriptions in one place, so you don't have to keep track of individual tokens. You register and provide consent, usually at a participating pharmacy, and a pharmacy can then access your list to dispense your prescriptions.
An eScript does not change the rules around prescribing; it simply changes how a prescription is issued and stored. Like a paper prescription, an electronic prescription is generally valid for 12 months from the date it is issued, and some categories of medicine have their own specific rules. If you would like to understand your options, your prescriber or pharmacist can explain how tokens and Active Script Lists work for your situation.
Who Can Issue a Telehealth Prescription?
Telehealth prescribing in Australia involves a consultation with an appropriately qualified and registered healthcare practitioner, working within their scope of practice. The same clinical and professional standards apply as for in-person care. The Medical Board of Australia is clear that telehealth care must meet the same standards as an in-person consultation, and that prescribing without a real-time consultation is not considered good practice. A prescription is a clinical decision, and speaking with a practitioner does not guarantee that one will be issued.
When May a Telehealth Prescription Be Appropriate?
Whether prescribing is appropriate depends on several factors, including the person's circumstances, medical history, the reason for the consultation, and the practitioner's clinical judgement. No fixed rule leads to a prescription.
Not every consultation results in a prescription. In some cases, a practitioner may need additional information, further assessment, or time before making a decision, and in others they may conclude that prescribing is not appropriate at all. This is a normal and important part of safe clinical care, whether a consultation happens by telehealth or in person.
When Is an In-Person Consultation More Appropriate?
Telehealth is not suitable for every situation. Some health concerns require a physical examination, diagnostic investigations such as tests or scans, or urgent medical assessment before a practitioner can safely make a prescribing decision. In general terms, an in-person appointment may be more appropriate when a practitioner needs to physically examine you, when tests are required to understand what is going on, or when your situation needs hands-on or urgent care.
A healthcare practitioner will assess whether telehealth suits your circumstances and, if not, can help you arrange in-person care instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a doctor prescribe medicine during a telehealth consultation?
A doctor or other appropriately qualified practitioner may prescribe during a telehealth consultation when clinically appropriate, following an individual assessment. Prescribing is never automatic; it depends on the practitioner's clinical judgement and your individual circumstances, and a consultation may conclude without a prescription being issued.
Are telehealth prescriptions legal in Australia?
Yes, telehealth prescribing forms part of Australia's regulated healthcare system and must comply with Australian prescribing requirements and professional standards. A prescription issued after a genuine telehealth consultation carries the same legal standing as one issued in person, provided the practitioner has met the relevant clinical and regulatory requirements.
Do all telehealth consultations result in a prescription?
No, prescriptions are issued only when a practitioner considers it clinically appropriate after an assessment. A telehealth consultation assesses your circumstances, not a guarantee of a prescription, and some consultations will conclude with other advice or a recommendation for further care.
This article provides general information only about how telehealth prescribing works in Australia. It is not medical advice, and it is not a recommendation to seek any medicine or prescription. An appropriately qualified healthcare practitioner makes any prescribing decision after an individual clinical assessment. If you have questions about your health or medicines, speak with a qualified healthcare professional or pharmacist. If you are experiencing severe or life-threatening symptoms, call triple zero (000).
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