​​ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health takes the protection of health privacy and personal information seriously. This page contains information about what data is recorded in SafeScript ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, who can access it, how your privacy is protected and how to make a privacy complaint.
When a prescriber issues a prescription or a pharmacist dispenses a medicine to you, specific information is recorded. SafeScript ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø will only collect this information when it relates to a certain high-risk medicine, also known as a monitored medicine.
The information collected includes your:
The information in the database does not include:
Your personal and health information is protected by law. ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and Commonwealth laws are based on the following privacy principles:
In addition to these existing laws, there is a penalty under the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008 for unlawfully accessing, using or disclosing information held in SafeScript ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.
SafeScript ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø records information about who accesses the system, when they access the system and which records they view. This information will be used by the Ministry of Health to monitor access to ensure that it is being used appropriately. If inappropriate use by a health practitioner is detected, penalties may apply under ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø law and the matter may also be referred to a Health Professional Council for investigation and possible disciplinary action.
A prescriber or pharmacist is permitted to view your record in SafeScript ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø in the following circumstances:
Authorised Ministry of Health officers also access SafeScript ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø as part of their regulatory role in ensuring the safe supply of medicines in the community.
Information held in SafeScript ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø may be disclosed outside the Ministry of Health but only in circumstances that are permitted under law. Examples of where the release of information may be permitted include where:
SafeScript ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø uses contemporary security measures to safeguard your information. Strong data encryption mechanisms are used to protect your personal health information during data transmission from medical practice systems and pharmacy dispensing systems to SafeScript ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and when your data is stored. The SafeScript ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø data is kept in a dedicated hosting environment in Australia.
Advanced access control mechanisms are in place to prevent unauthorised access. Health practitioners eligible to access SafeScript ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø will be required to use multi-factor authentication (a username/password + PIN) to access the system. The security of the system is routinely tested and reviewed to ensure data stored in SafeScript ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø remains protected.
You or your authorised representative are entitled to request information held about you in SafeScript ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. To make a request, email safescript@health.nsw.gov.au.
Requests for access to information will be responded to as soon as possible, or in most cases no later than 28 days. Access may be declined in special circumstances, such as where giving access would put you or another person at risk of mental or physical harm.
The SafeScript ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø database is a read-only system that contains a copy of information that is held in your prescriber’s or pharmacist’s clinical system. SafeScript ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø does not alter records that are created in the source medical or pharmacy systems. However, if you believe there is an error in a record, you can request an amendment by emailing safescript@health.nsw.gov.au.
In many cases an error or omission is likely to be due to an error by your prescriber or pharmacist. You can make a request directly to your prescriber or pharmacist to review their records. When they make a change in their clinical system, the information will be automatically updated in SafeScript ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.
You can make a complaint to the Privacy Officer, Ministry of Health about how your personal and/or health information has been handled in SafeScript ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. The complaint must be made in writing to:
Privacy Officer ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Ministry of Heath Locked Bag 2030 St Leonards ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø 1590
For more information about making a complaint, contact the Privacy Officer by email: MOH-Privacy@health.nsw.gov.au.
Information about the privacy laws and policies that apply to ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Health.
How we protect your information.