What is an online prescription in Australia and how does it work?

If you’ve ever run out of medication you need for your chronic illness and now need to book an appointment with your doctor to get a repeat prescription, you’d know the frustration. Not only do you now need to book an appointment and take time off work, you also need to travel to the surgery and wait up to an hour for what is likely to be a five-minute appointment. How easy would it be if you could just pick up your phone and talk to your doctor about getting a repeat prescription while you go about your day?

Luckily, today, many online prescription services in Australia allow you to do just that! Through dedicated apps or by creating an account on their website, you can get a quick and easy medical script sent to your nearest pharmacy for you to pick up whenever you can. All you need to do is fill in a questionnaire about your medical history and the details of the medication you require, and a qualified and registered doctor will review your request. If your request is approved, the prescription will be faxed to your pharmacy, but in the event that the doctor is not satisfied with the information you provided, your request may be rejected and you may be recommended to see an online doctor instead.

But what is an online prescription and how does it work?

Much like a prescription from your regular doctor, an online prescription is exactly the same. The only difference is that it is much less of a hassle, and you can get your medical script right from the comfort of your home. This is especially helpful for single or working parents who may not have enough time on hand to visit a doctor, or are unable to find someone to watch the kids while they’re out. It can also come in handy if you’re on vacation within Australia and forgot to bring your medication with you. With an online prescription, you can quickly get your prescription sent to your nearest pharmacy for you to pick up.

While many online healthcare providers may be authorised to write new scripts, many others may only be able to write you a repeat prescription. For chronic health conditions, it is always best to see a doctor in person for the first visit and then to switch to online healthcare for help in managing said condition. Always ask the service provider whether they are able to write a new script, or only deal with repeat scripts.

Australian laws do not permit doctors within Australia to provide medical advise or write prescriptions for people who are not currently within Australian borders. To access this service, you need to be in Australia, but the state you are in does not matter. You could be backpacking in Western Australia and run out of your medication, and could get an online consultation with a doctor in Victoria to get your repeat prescription.

Online prescriptions in Australia have made it easier for chronic health condition sufferers to effectively manage their disease without having to spend too much time in a doctor’s waiting room for a five-minute appointment. 

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