PRESCRIPTION INFORMATION
Prescription products require a prescription issued by an Australian Doctor. Australian Law requires that we must receive your Original Prescription (or Repeat Prescription), before we can dispense your medication. At Simply Pharmacy, we strive to provide simple professional healthcare. By providing us with your medical details listed in our Medical Profile it will ensure that we are able to identify any potential drug, health or allergic reactions. This is compulsory for prescription orders.
Only prescriptions written by registered Australian Doctors can be dispensed. Refrigerated lines and Dangerous Drugs (s8) cannot be supplied. Pharmacist Only Medication (s3) requires a prescription to be supplied. We reserve the right to refuse supply of any goods we feel may contravene our professional obligations. Due to government regulations, faxes or emails of prescriptions cannot be dispensed.
Australia’s present Health Scheme System allows for different Prescription pricing levels, depending on an individual’s entitlements. Each prescription item at Simply Pharmacy will show up to four different prices. Below is a description of these.
There are 4 types of prices available for prescription products –
• Private Prescriptions
Some prescriptions are not subsidised by the government, leaving the patient to fully pay for the item. Many private prescriptions can be claimed back through Private Health Funds, relevant receipts will be provided.
• NHS
National Health Scheme prices are set by the Commonwealth Government of Australia and under current legislation cannot be discounted. A Prescription Record Form (PRF) sticker will be supplied with every NHS prescriptions and Safety Net Totals will be kept for all patients. Where no price appears in the NHS field, the prescription is only available as a Private Prescription.
• Concession Cards
(Pensioners, Health Care & Veteran Affairs card holders, CN card holders)
These cardholders will pay $5.60 for most NHS prescriptions. Small government surcharges may occur in more expensive brands but can be avoided by selecting the generic equivalent when prompted. Where no price appears in benefit card field, private prices will apply.
Important – All entitlement card recipients must provide photocopies of entitlement cards with first order to prevent fraud.
The Private and NHS prices are open to the general public and you may choose whichever price suits you best. However, Concession and Safety Net prices require you to have the appropriate entitlement cards to qualify for the marked price.
• Safety Net Card Holders
Patients who reach the Safety Net Threshold in the same calendar year will not be charged for NHS prescriptions (unless government surcharges apply). These SN Card Holders will not be charged for postage or handling where SN prescriptions are included in their orders. When the item is not a NHS prescription, private prices will apply.
Important – All entitlement card recipients must provide photocopies of entitlement cards with first order to prevent fraud.
Repeats
You may elect to have repeats filed with Simply Pharmacy for future dispensing. If you would like to keep your repeat on file with us, we are happy to do so! This will save you time in future, as you will be able to process your Prescription order immediately next time. Simply select ‘keep my repeats on file’ in your Medical Record Form. We will send you an e-mail notification to remind you when your prescription is due for renewal.
Generics
Simply Pharmacy is dedicated to saving our customers money. Where equivalent, cheaper brands exist, you can view these products listed on the lower half of the screen. These brands are in no way inferior in quality or strength. They have identical active ingredients, but may be different in size, shape, colour and name. In many cases, the same companies make both brands.
Safety Net
The National Health Scheme allows individuals and families a Safety Net threshold per calendar year. Once this threshold is reached, you can apply for a Safety Net card enabling you to receive NHS prescriptions at cheaper or no cost
2011 Safety Net Threshold
Safety Net Threshold for General Patients is $1157.50*- A safety net card will be issued allowing NHS prescriptions to be charged at $5.60* each for the rest of the calendar year.
Safety Net Threshold for Concession Card Holders is $399.60*- A safety net card will be issued allowing NHS prescriptions to be free* for the rest of the calendar year.
*These figures are adjusted annually and do not include a surcharge for the more expensive alternative brands/medicines.
• Safety Net 20 Day rule
The new PBS Safety Net 20 day rule means that for certain specified PBS medicine a resupply within 20 days of a previous supply, of the same medicine, will fall outside Safety Net benefits. For that supply:
• the patient contribution will not count towards the PBS Safety Net threshold, or
• where the PBS Safety Net threshold has been reached, the usual patient contribution applies -not the reduced PBS Safety Net amount.
For further information about the PBS Safety Net 20 day rule please visit Department of Health and Ageing.
If you require more information about Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS):
For all PBS enquiries and support call 132 290.
Dial option:
• for concession and Medicare entitlement enquiries
• for all claim payment, Safety Net, stationery and general enquiries
• for technical support for online claiming or information about online claiming.
Internet site http://www.hic.gov.au
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