Yes, in many circumstances you can obtain a prescription through an online GP or telehealth consultation in Australia.
Instead of travelling to a medical centre, you can speak with an Australian-registered doctor by telephone or video. If the doctor determines that medication is clinically appropriate after assessing your health, they may issue an electronic prescription (eScript).
However, an online consultation does not automatically mean you will receive a prescription. The doctor must make an independent clinical assessment and decide whether prescribing is safe and appropriate for you. Australian Medical Board guidance states that real-time doctor-patient consultation is important for safe prescribing through telehealth.
What is an eScript?
An eScript, or electronic prescription, is a digital prescription issued by a doctor or other authorised prescriber.
Instead of receiving a traditional paper prescription, you can receive a digital token by SMS or email. The token can then be presented to a participating pharmacy, where the pharmacist can dispense your medicine.
An eScript can make getting your medication more convenient, particularly when you are unable to attend a medical clinic simply to obtain a prescription.
How does an online prescription consultation work?
Getting a prescription online usually involves several steps.
1. Book an online GP consultation
You book a telehealth appointment with a doctor.
Depending on the service, your consultation may be conducted by:
- Video consultation
- Telephone consultation
2. Discuss your medical condition
During the consultation, the GP will ask about your symptoms, medical history and current medications.
The doctor may ask about:
- Your current symptoms
- How long you have had the condition
- Previous treatments
- Current medications
- Medication allergies
- Existing medical conditions
- Previous adverse reactions to medicines
- Relevant test results
- Other factors that may affect treatment
It is important to provide accurate information so the doctor can make a safe prescribing decision.
3. The doctor assesses whether medication is appropriate
The GP will determine whether your condition can be safely assessed through telehealth and whether medication is appropriate.
The doctor may decide that you:
- Can be treated through telehealth
- Need a prescription
- Need a different medication
- Need pathology or other investigations
- Need an in-person examination
- Need to see your regular GP or another healthcare professional
4. Receive your eScript
If medication is prescribed, the doctor may send an eScript token to you electronically.
You can then present the token to a participating pharmacy to obtain your medicine.
What medicines can be prescribed online?
A wide range of medicines may be prescribed following an appropriate telehealth consultation, depending on the patient's condition and the doctor's clinical assessment.
Examples may include medicines used for:
- Some infections
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Skin conditions
- Contraception
- Some urinary tract infections
- Some gastrointestinal conditions
- Some chronic health conditions
- Medication reviews and ongoing treatment
However, not every medication is appropriate for online prescribing.
The doctor must consider your individual circumstances, the risks and benefits of treatment, and whether an examination or additional testing is necessary.
Can I get antibiotics online?
In some circumstances, a GP may prescribe antibiotics following a telehealth consultation.
For example, some straightforward infections may be assessed remotely when the doctor has enough information to make a safe clinical decision.
However, antibiotics are not appropriate for every infection. Many illnesses, including viral infections, do not benefit from antibiotics.
A doctor may recommend an examination, urine test, pathology or another investigation before deciding whether antibiotics are appropriate.
Can I get repeat prescriptions online?
A telehealth consultation may be suitable for some repeat prescriptions, particularly when the doctor has sufficient information about your medical history and treatment.
The GP may review:
- Your current medication
- Dose and frequency
- How long you have been taking it
- Your response to treatment
- Side effects
- Other medications
- Relevant medical conditions
- Monitoring or test results
A repeat prescription is not automatically guaranteed. The doctor needs to determine that continuing the medication is clinically appropriate.
Can I get a prescription for a new medication online?
Yes, in some circumstances.
A GP can assess a new medical problem through telehealth and prescribe treatment when it is safe and clinically appropriate to do so.
However, some medicines or conditions require a physical examination, blood tests, imaging, monitoring or other investigations before treatment can safely begin.
If the doctor cannot make an appropriate assessment remotely, you may be asked to attend a clinic.
Can I get a prescription for controlled or restricted medicines online?
Some medicines have additional legal, regulatory and clinical requirements.
Medicines with a higher risk of dependence, misuse or serious adverse effects may require additional assessment, monitoring or an in-person consultation depending on the circumstances and applicable state or territory requirements.
You should not assume that an online GP service will prescribe a particular medication simply because you have previously received it elsewhere.
The doctor must make an independent clinical decision.
Can I get an eScript for my pharmacy?
Yes. Most pharmacies are equipped to dispense eScripts.
With an eScript, your doctor sends you a digital token, usually by SMS or email. The pharmacist scans or accesses the token and dispenses the prescribed medicine.
You can also ask your pharmacist about managing prescriptions through an Active Script List (ASL), which provides a digital way to manage eligible prescriptions.
Do I need Medicare to get an online prescription?
You do not necessarily need Medicare to have a private telehealth consultation.
However, Medicare rebates depend on whether you meet the relevant eligibility requirements for the particular Medicare service.
If you are not eligible for Medicare, you may still be able to access a private online GP consultation by paying the applicable consultation fee.
Is online prescribing safe?
Telehealth can be a safe and convenient way to access healthcare when it is clinically appropriate.
However, the same professional standards that apply to face-to-face care also apply to telehealth. Australian Medical Board guidance states that prescribing without a real-time direct consultation with a patient is not supported as good practice, with limited exceptions such as situations involving an established treating relationship and access to appropriate clinical information.
A good online medical service should therefore focus on medical assessment rather than simply providing medication on request.
Can I get a prescription without speaking to a doctor?
You should be cautious about services that appear to offer prescription medicines solely after completing an online questionnaire.
The Medical Board of Australia states that prescribing based on an online questionnaire, text, email or similar asynchronous request without a real-time consultation with the patient is not supported as good practice.
A proper telehealth consultation allows the doctor to ask questions, clarify symptoms, assess risks and make an appropriate clinical decision.
Can an online doctor send medication directly to my home?
After receiving a valid prescription, you may be able to use a pharmacy that offers delivery.
The prescription itself is issued by the doctor; medication supply and delivery are handled by the pharmacy.
If you purchase medicines online, make sure you are dealing with a legitimate Australian pharmacy. Healthdirect advises consumers to check that online medicine suppliers are Australian-based and provide appropriate business and contact details.
Be careful when buying medicines online
You should not purchase prescription medicines from websites that do not require a prescription.
Australian prescription medicines require an appropriate prescription, and websites supplying prescription medicines without one may be operating unlawfully.
The TGA also warns that medicines purchased from unverified online sources may be counterfeit, contaminated, contain incorrect amounts of active ingredients or contain undisclosed ingredients.
Always use a legitimate Australian healthcare provider and pharmacy.
When is an online prescription consultation not appropriate?
Telehealth may not be suitable when you require:
- A physical examination
- Blood pressure or vital-sign measurements
- Blood tests
- Imaging
- An ECG
- A wound examination
- A neurological examination
- An urgent assessment
- Other investigations or procedures
If your symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening or potentially life-threatening, you should seek urgent medical care rather than waiting for an online GP appointment.
What should I have ready for my online consultation?
To make your consultation easier, have the following information available:
- Medicare details, if applicable
- Current medication list
- Medication allergies
- Relevant medical history
- Previous prescriptions
- Recent test results
- Details of your symptoms
- The name and dose of any medication you are requesting
- Information about previous side effects or treatment failures
Be honest with your doctor about your symptoms and medications. This information is important for safe prescribing.
Get an Online Prescription with NewTeleDoc Medical
NewTeleDoc Medical provides telehealth consultations with Australian-registered doctors.
During your consultation, a doctor can assess your symptoms, discuss treatment options and determine whether a prescription is medically appropriate.
Where an eScript is clinically appropriate, it can be sent electronically so you can take it to a participating pharmacy.
Book an online GP consultation with NewTeleDoc Medical today and speak with an Australian-registered doctor from the comfort of your home.
Important information
An online consultation does not guarantee that a prescription will be issued. Prescribing decisions are made by the treating doctor based on your individual medical circumstances, applicable Australian prescribing requirements and clinical safety.
Some medicines require additional assessment, monitoring or an in-person consultation. Never use someone else's prescription or purchase prescription medicines from unverified websites.
This article provides general information only and does not replace individual medical advice.