GPs should be aware that the Pharmacy Grace Period for active ingredient prescribing ends 31 July 2021.
This means that from 1 August 2021, pharmacists will no longer be able to dispense PBS/RPBS subsidised medicines for prescriptions that do not meet the active ingredient prescribing requirements. Pharmacists will be contacting prescribers for a reissued prescription if the original prescription is found to be non-compliant. Otherwise, they could be dispensed as private prescriptions (with associated out of pocket costs to consumers).
Prescribers are reminded to update their clinical software and check the accuracy of the prescription after it has been printed to reduce the risk of errors.
A factsheet can be downloaded from this article, which will also be available shortly from the Department of Health's PBS webpage.
