3 March 2020

Message from the NSW Ministry of Health

Dear Pharmacist

WARNING – FAKE WEBSITES

The NSW Ministry of Health has recently become aware of fake websites being used to support the dispensing of forged prescriptions for Schedule 8 drugs.

NSW Police have been informed, but the websites may still be operational.

The websites match the names of purported prescribers and contact details which are shown on forged prescriptions presented for dispensing. Pharmacists who use the websites to independently verify a prescription’s authenticity may therefore be misled.

The Pharmaceutical Regulatory Unit (PRU) has confirmed that no medical centres exist at the addresses shown on the websites. PRU has also contacted the named prescribers at their actual practices and confirmed that they have no knowledge of the websites, the addresses, or the patients for whom Schedule 8 drugs have been prescribed.

Pharmacists are advised to immediately contact police if any prescriptions containing the following addresses or telephone numbers are presented for dispensing:

My Choice Medical Centre, Suite 103, 135 Macquarie Street, Sydney

Tel: (02) 8006 5051

 Wellington Road Medical Practice, Level 1/46 Wellington Road, South Granville

Tel: (02) 8091 4544

For any clarification please contact the Duty Pharmaceutical Officer on (02) 9391 9944.

Bruce Battye

Director Pharmaceutical Regulatory Unit

Deputy Chief Pharmacist

Legal and Regulatory Services Branch