What Is an eScript? Electronic Prescriptions Explained for Australians
An eScript, or electronic prescription, is a digital alternative to a paper prescription in Australia. Instead of receiving a paper form, you can receive a secure electronic prescription token, usually by SMS or email, and present or send that token to a participating pharmacy.
Electronic prescribing changes the format of a prescription, not the clinical decision behind it. Whether a prescription is appropriate is determined by an authorised prescriber based on the individual circumstances and relevant prescribing requirements.
Key takeaways
• An eScript is an electronic alternative to a paper prescription.
• A prescription token is usually sent by SMS or email and contains a unique barcode used by the pharmacy to retrieve the electronic prescription.
• You generally receive a separate token for each medicine prescribed.
• If a prescription has repeats, a new token is issued after each dispense for the next repeat.
• You can usually choose between an electronic prescription and a paper prescription for a prescription, rather than receiving both.
• An Active Script List can help manage multiple active electronic prescriptions without keeping track of individual tokens.
• Electronic prescriptions are subject to the same prescribing and dispensing rules as paper prescriptions.
What is an eScript?
The Australian Digital Health Agency defines an electronic prescription as a digital version of a paper prescription. It is part of Australia’s existing prescribing and dispensing system and is available across Australia.
You may also hear people use terms such as electronic prescription, digital prescription, ePrescription or eScript. In everyday use, these generally refer to the same digital prescribing process.
How does an eScript work?
The process is usually straightforward:
• An authorised prescriber creates an electronic prescription using conformant clinical software.
• You receive a unique prescription token, commonly by SMS or email.
• You present or send the token to a pharmacy that supports electronic prescriptions.
• The pharmacist scans the token to securely retrieve the electronic prescription and dispense the medicine, subject to normal dispensing requirements.
• If repeats remain, the pharmacy issues a new token for the next repeat.
The Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing explains that electronic prescribing uses software systems that meet national safety, security and legal requirements.
What is an eScript token?
A token is the digital key used to access an electronic prescription. It usually appears as a link in an SMS or email and opens a unique barcode or QR code.
The token itself is not the legal electronic prescription. The prescription record is held securely within Australia’s electronic prescribing infrastructure, while the token allows the pharmacy to retrieve it.
The Australian Digital Health Agency’s electronic prescribing guidance notes that you generally receive a separate token for each medicine that is prescribed.
Can I choose a paper prescription instead?
Yes. Electronic prescribing is an alternative to paper prescribing and is not mandatory for patients.
The Australian Digital Health Agency says patients can choose to receive either an electronic prescription or a paper prescription for a prescription, but not both at the same time.
If you do not have a suitable mobile phone, email access or another practical way to use a token, tell your prescriber so you can discuss the available options.
Can I use an eScript at any pharmacy?
Most community pharmacies in Australia can dispense electronic prescriptions, but it is reasonable to check with a particular pharmacy if you are unsure.
You can generally choose which participating pharmacy you use. You can show the token on your device or forward it to the pharmacy.
If the pharmacy offers delivery, the Australian Digital Health Agency says you may be able to forward the token to the pharmacy instead of attending in person. Delivery availability, fees and processes are set by the individual pharmacy.
What happens if my eScript has repeats?
If your prescription includes repeats, the same token is not reused for every dispense.
After the pharmacy dispenses the medicine, it will issue a new token for the next repeat. Keep the new token until you are ready for the next dispense.
If you use an Active Script List, repeats can instead be managed through that list without you needing to keep track of each individual token.
What if I delete or lose my eScript token?
Losing or deleting the SMS or email does not necessarily mean the prescription itself is lost.
The Australian Digital Health Agency advises that:
• for an original prescription, contact the prescriber and ask for the token to be resent
• for a repeat token, contact the pharmacy that issued the repeat
If you regularly manage several prescriptions, an Active Script List may reduce the need to keep track of individual tokens.
What is an Active Script List?
An Active Script List, often shortened to ASL, is a digital list of your active electronic prescriptions and certain barcoded paper prescriptions.
The Australian Digital Health Agency explains that, once you are registered for an Active Script List, a participating pharmacy can access your active prescriptions with your consent. This means you do not need to present a separate token for each prescription.
An Active Script List may be particularly useful for people who manage multiple prescriptions or repeats.
Do I need Medicare to receive an eScript?
The Australian Government says a person can receive an electronic prescription if they have a Medicare number, Department of Veterans’ Affairs number or an Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI).
An IHI is a unique number used to identify individuals in Australia’s digital health system. People who are not eligible for Medicare may still have an IHI.
Can someone else collect a medicine using my eScript?
Yes. The Australian Digital Health Agency says a trusted family member, friend, carer or other agent may collect a prescription on your behalf by presenting the evidence of prescription to the pharmacy.
Because an eScript token provides access to the prescription, only share it with a person or pharmacy you trust.
How long is an eScript valid?
Electronic prescriptions are generally valid for the same period as equivalent paper prescriptions.
The Australian Digital Health Agency notes that many prescriptions are valid for up to 12 months, but the validity period can be shorter for some medicines and may also depend on state or territory legislation.
If you are unsure whether a prescription is still valid, ask your pharmacist or prescriber rather than relying on the date of the SMS or email alone.
Are eScripts secure?
Electronic prescribing operates through software and national infrastructure designed to meet Australian security, privacy and conformance requirements.
The Australian Government electronic prescribing framework requires participating prescribing and pharmacy software to meet national technical and security standards.
You should still treat a prescription token as sensitive information. Avoid posting or sharing screenshots publicly, and only forward the token to a pharmacy or trusted person when needed.
Can an eScript be issued after a telehealth appointment?
Electronic prescriptions can be issued after an in-person or telehealth consultation when an authorised prescriber decides that prescribing is clinically appropriate and all relevant requirements are met.
The fact that a consultation takes place by telehealth does not mean a prescription will be issued. Prescribing remains a clinical decision and must comply with professional, Commonwealth and state or territory requirements.
Ahpra’s guidance for practitioners providing virtual care says prescribing through telehealth must comply with relevant prescribing laws and professional standards, and that prescribing without an appropriate real-time consultation is not considered good practice by National Boards.
Can I manage eScripts on my phone?
Yes. You can keep prescription tokens in the SMS or email where you received them, and some pharmacy or health apps can also help manage electronic prescriptions.
The 1800MEDICARE app can provide access to electronic prescriptions and an Active Script List for eligible users who have linked My Health Record through myGov.
You do not need to use an app simply to use an eScript. A token received by SMS or email can be presented directly to a participating pharmacy.
eScript, token and Active Script List: what is the difference?
These terms are related but mean different things:
• Electronic prescription or eScript: the digital prescription created by an authorised prescriber.
• Token: the barcode or QR-code key you receive, usually by SMS or email, that allows a pharmacy to retrieve an electronic prescription.
• Active Script List: a digital list of active prescriptions that can be accessed by participating providers with your consent, reducing the need to manage individual tokens.
What should I do when I receive an eScript?
• Check that the SMS or email has arrived before you finish the consultation if an electronic prescription is being issued.
• Keep the token private until you need to use it.
• Present or forward the token to a participating pharmacy.
• After a prescription is dispensed, keep the new repeat token if repeats remain.
• If you lose an original token, contact the prescriber; for a repeat token, contact the pharmacy that issued it.
• Ask your pharmacist about an Active Script List if managing multiple tokens is difficult.
Electronic prescriptions are a digital format, not a different prescribing process
The main difference between an electronic and paper prescription is how the prescription is created, delivered and accessed.
Electronic prescribing does not remove the clinical and legal requirements that apply to prescribing and dispensing medicines. A prescription is only issued when an authorised prescriber considers it appropriate after an assessment and in accordance with relevant requirements.
If you have questions about an electronic prescription you have already received, speak with the prescriber or pharmacist involved.
This article provides general educational information about Australia’s electronic prescribing system. It is not a recommendation to seek a prescription or any particular medicine and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Whether a prescription is appropriate is a clinical decision made by an authorised prescriber.
Sources
• Australian Digital Health Agency — Electronic prescriptions
• Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing — Electronic prescribing