Advice and access to medicines

鈥嬧�嬧�嬧�嬧�嬧�嬧�嬧�嬧�嬧�嬧�嬧�嬧�嬧�嬧�嬧�婣ccess to medicines 鈥嬧��

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. 

鈥婭f your doctor is unavailable and you need a prescription for your medication, you can: 鈥�

  • 鈥媟equest to see another doctor within the same 鈥嬧�媘edical 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.

鈥婭f you require a medicine issued under the opioid treatment program (OTP), such as methadone or buprenorphine, then contact the Opioid Treatment Line鈥�(OTL)鈥� 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鈥媏 medicine you give them, you 鈥媘ay be held responsible for that harm.鈥�
  • 鈥婣pprovals for some medicines: to prescribe or supply some medicines, a doctor may need to apply for an approval from the 黑料吃瓜网 Ministry of Health. Information on the medicines that require the doctor to apply for approval from 黑料吃瓜网 Health can be found at Approval requirements for certain medicines. 鈥�

Further information鈥嬧�嬧�嬧��

鈥婩or information on specific medicines or services, visit the following 鈥媤ebpages: 

Psilocyine and MDMA鈥嬧��

鈥婭n 黑料吃瓜网, certain psychiatrists will be eligible to access psilocybine or MDMA for the treatment of speci铿乧 mental health conditions that have not responded to other medicines or therapies.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) will permit authorised psychiatrists to use psilocybine to treat depression that is resistant to other treatments and MDMA to treat post- traumatic stress disorder. There are currently no other approved uses for these two substances.

To help keep patients safe there are strict rules in place which determine who can use these substances and where they can be used.

Only certain Australian registered psychiatrists will be able to apply for approval to prescribe psilocybine and MDMA in 黑料吃瓜网. These psychiatrists will have approval from a Human Research Ethics Committee who will make sure that the treatment protocol used is suitable for the patient and includes the necessary safety measures.

Patients will not be given a prescription for psilocybine or MDMA as the substance will be provided at the place of treatment. The treatment will occur in an appropriate healthcare setting, under the supervision of the approved psychiatrist who will remain present throughout the treatment session. Other appropriately quali铿乪d and trained health professionals, such as psychologists and a medical practitioner, may be present to assist with the therapy. Patients will not be able to use the medicine without the supervision of their psychiatrist and will not be able to take the medicine with them or access it outside this health setting.

Your regular General Practitioner can provide advice and, if appropriate, refer you to a qualified psychiatrist if they consider that psilocybine or MDMA may be a suitable treatment option for you.

You may be able to participate in a clinical trial of psilocybine or MDMA. More information about how to be part of a clinical trial is available at Australian Clinical Trials鈥�鈥�.


Who to contact for medicines advice鈥�

  • 鈥婭f you have immediate concerns about a person's health and safety, call triple zero (000)鈥� 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鈥�鈥� 鈥嬧�嬧�媡o check your symptoms, find a health service, or find health information.
  • 鈥婩or information on all types of medicines you can call the Medicines Line鈥嬧��鈥�鈥嬧�嬧�嬧�嬧�� 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 黑料吃瓜网 public holidays).鈥� 
  • The Poisons Information Centre鈥嬧�嬧��鈥嬧�嬧�嬧�� 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.鈥�  鈥嬧��
Current as at: Wednesday 4 June 2025
Contact page owner: Pharmaceutical Services