A message from the Ministry of Health

• Dispensing Schedule 8 unregistered cannabis medicines on the basis of a faxed or emailed prescription is illegal. There is no provision to authorise a pharmacist to dispense Schedule 8 unregistered cannabis medicines orally, by telephone, by electronic mail or by facsimile under the provisions of the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008. A hard copy prescription is required prior to dispensing a Schedule 8 unregistered cannabis medicine.

• A prescription for a Schedule 8 cannabis medicine can be dispensed only if the prescription includes the NSW Authority Number entered onto the prescription by the NSW Health authorised prescriber. All other requirements for a valid Schedule 8 prescription also apply.

• Further information for pharmacists on the dispensing of cannabis medicines can be found at :

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/pharmaceutical/Pages/cannabis-products.aspx