Prescribing controlled and monitored medicines
Prescribers must have approval from the Chief Health Officer to prescribe a controlled medicine when:
- a person is drug dependent
- a person has been prescribed controlled medicines within the previous 2 months
- the person is expected to require treatment for longer than 2 months.
Types of approval
You can seek approval by either:
- Category approval: Authorises the prescribing of a medicine or medicines within a therapeutic class up to a maximum dose to treat a certain condition. You can request a category approval where eligibility is met as outlined in the Controlled Medicines Prescribing Standards.
- Approval by drug: Authorises the prescribing of a particular dose, form, strength and quantity of a medicine for a person’s medical condition. You can request this if preferred, or when the treatment doesn't meet the requirements of a category approval.
How to apply for approval
You can apply for approval using the following options:
- Canberra Script online application
- Electronic SmartForm via the HealthLink portal if your practice uses Best Practice Premier, Genie Solution, or Medical Director software
- Fax a completed Application for Approval to Prescribe Controlled Medicines Form directly to Pharmaceutical Services on (02) 5124 9309.
Approval process
- Applications are assessed in accordance with the Controlled Medicines Prescribing Standards
- A Chief Health Officer (CHO) reference number will be issued for each approval.
- Applications can be processed in 1 to 2 business days if no further information is needed.
- Urgent applications can be considered within one working day.
- Pharmacists are obligated to check that an approval is in place before dispensing a methadone or buprenorphine prescription for the treatment of opioid dependency, and may confirm details with you before dispensing.
Definition of a drug dependent person
The Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008 defines a drug dependent person, in relation to a controlled medicine as being a person with a condition who:
- has demonstrated, in relation to the person’s use of the medicine impaired control; or drug-seeking behaviour that suggests impaired control
- on ceasing the medicine, is likely to experience symptoms of mental or physical distress or disorder.
Medicines Advisory Committee
The Medicines Advisory Committee is a statutory body established under the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2008 and:
- provides expert advice to the ACT Chief Health Officer on complex clinical matters involving the prescribing and supply of medicines in the ACT
- provides expert advice on applications for approval to prescribe controlled medicines, and applications for endorsement to treat drug dependency
- can consider applications for review of an unfavourable ACT CHO decision on controlled medicine issues.
If you want to apply to the Medicines Advisory Committee for a review of an unfavourable decision on a controlled medicines approval or endorsement to treat drug-dependency, contact the Health Protection Service on (02) 5124 9208 or email hps@act.gov.au.
Medicines advisory committee membership
In accordance with the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008, the Medicines Advisory Committee consists of 7 members from the following areas:
- at least one member experienced in teaching or practice of psychiatry
- at least one member experienced in teaching or practice of pain or addiction medicine
- at least one general practitioner
- one member nominated by the ACT Branch of the Australian Medical Association
- one pharmacist
- one consumer representative
Subject to agreement by the Minister for Health or Chief Health Officer, sub-committees may be established to assist the committee in its role.