Advice and access to medicines

​​​​​​​​​​​​Access to medicines â€‹â€‹

If you need a prescription medicine, you will need to see a doctor or relevant specialist who will assess you and advise on appropriate treatment. 

​If your doctor is unavailable and you need a prescription for your medication, you can: â€‹

  • ​request to see another doctor within the same ​​medical practice, if one is available, or
  • visit a different medical practice to see another doctor, or
  • phone the Health Direct hotline on 1800 022 222 for 24-hour health advice.

​If you require a medicine issued under the opioid treatment program (OTP), such as methadone or buprenorphine, then contact the Opioid Treatment Line (OTL)​ by phone at 1800 642 428 for referrals, advice, and medicine-related queries. The phone line operates Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 5.00 pm, and is not available on public holidays.

Other important information

  • It is important that you use medicines as directed by your health professional. 
  • Sharing medicines: medicines are prescribed or supplied based on what is suitable for you and your condition and must not be shared with others. The medication you have been prescribed is for your condition and may not be suitable for another person, even if you think they have the same problems. In some cases, it may be harmful to them. It may also be unlawful to give or supply prescribed medicines to other persons or to possess prescribed medicines that have not been dispensed for you on a prescription. If someone is harmed by th​e medicine you give them, you ​may be held responsible for that harm.​
  • ​Approvals for some medicines: to prescribe or supply some medicines, a doctor may need to apply for an approval from the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Ministry of Health. Information on the medicines that require the doctor to apply for approval from ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health can be found at Approval requirements for certain medicines. â€‹

Further information​​​​

​For information on specific medicines or services, visit the following ​webpages: 

Who to contact for medicines advice​

  • ​If you have immediate concerns about a person's health and safety, call triple zero (000)​ or visit a hospital emergency department.
  • For 24-hour health advice you can call the Health Direct hotline at 1800 022 222. You can also visit the website at Health Direct​​ â€‹â€‹â€‹to check your symptoms, find a health service, or find health information.
  • ​For information on all types of medicines you can call the Medicines Line​​​​​​​​ on 1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424). Calls are answered by registered pharmacists, and the service is available Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm AEST (excluding ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø public holidays).​ 
  • The Poisons Information Centre​​​​​​​ provides the latest poisons information to the public. Advice is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 131126 from anywhere in Australia.​  â€‹â€‹
Current as at: Tuesday 11 February 2025
Contact page owner: Pharmaceutical Services