Prescription management · AustraliaManaging a Medicinal Cannabis Prescription in Australia
Already prescribed? Put the whole prescription on your phone: expiry date, repeats remaining, the exact product, your eScript, a dispense request to your pharmacy and a script request to your prescriber.
30-day trial, then a subscription. $4.99 per month or $39.99 per year. iPhone and Android.
The dates that matter
Depending on how your medicinal cannabis is prescribed, several different dates can run at once: your prescription expiry, your remaining repeats, and an approval or authorisation period held by your prescriber. They do not run together, and watching one tells you nothing about the others.
The approval or authorisation
Most medicinal cannabis in Australia is an unapproved product, which means your prescriber needs approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration before writing a prescription. The TGA says a prescriber must notify or apply to the TGA for approval to supply the product through the Special Access Scheme or Authorised Prescriber scheme before providing a prescription. [1]
Under Special Access Scheme Category B, which applies to an individual named patient, SAS approvals are generally valid for two years, with the actual period being the duration specified on the approval letter. [2][3] These are not renewed automatically; if supply is still required after expiry, a new application should be made. [4]
If your prescriber works under the Authorised Prescriber scheme instead, the approval covers a class of patients rather than you individually and runs for up to five years. In that case there is no approval date specific to you, and your prescription and repeats are the dates to watch. [5]
The prescription
Most medicinal cannabis is a Schedule 8 medicine. The TGA classifies cannabis and tetrahydrocannabinol as Controlled Drugs under Schedule 8 of the Poisons Standard when prepared or packed for human therapeutic use. [5] Ahpra also describes most medicinal cannabis as a Schedule 8 medicine. [6]
The number of repeats is set by your prescriber and written on the prescription, and a pharmacist cannot go beyond it. State and territory law requires the prescriber to state the maximum number of supplies and the interval between them on a Schedule 8 prescription. [8][9][10]
Why your pharmacy cannot simply have it in stock
Unapproved medicinal cannabis is supplied under a TGA approval granted for a specific patient. NSW Health states that pharmacists can only stock unregistered medicines approved for specific patients and that unregistered cannabis medicines cannot be held in stock without Commonwealth approval under the Special Access Scheme, Authorised Prescriber Scheme or Clinical Trial Scheme. [11]
Registered products are different and can be stocked normally, but there are only two cannabis medicines registered in Australia. [12] Almost everything prescribed is unapproved.
If the exact product is unavailable, the pharmacist cannot give you a similar one. A new prescription must be written. [13]
Emergency supply provisions do not apply for unregistered Schedule 8 medicines. [14]
The sponsor is under no obligation to supply an unapproved product even if approval has been given. [15]
One medicine per prescription
If you are prescribed more than one product, you have more than one prescription, each with its own expiry date and repeat count. NSW Health states that if it is a Schedule 8 cannabis medicine, each prescription must include only one Schedule 8 medicine, and substitution of products is not allowed. [11]
Recording the exact name and strength of each product matters. A prescription that names a category rather than a product cannot be dispensed: NSW Health says prescriptions with a category description do not adequately identify the name and strength of each active ingredient and cannot be legally dispensed. [14]
Yes, it can be an eScript
Medicinal cannabis does not have to be on paper. NSW Health lists electronic prescriptions as a valid form for unregistered Schedule 8 medicines, alongside handwritten and computer-generated paper prescriptions. [14] The Australian Digital Health Agency confirms nationally that electronic prescribing accommodates Schedule 8 medicines. [17]
Electronic prescriptions can make it easier to keep prescription information accessible and manage repeats without depending on a paper document. Paper Schedule 8 prescriptions are in some circumstances retained by the pharmacy that dispensed them, and that requirement does not apply to electronic prescriptions. [16] If your prescriber offers you the choice, ask which format is suitable for you.
Keep your expiry date, repeats and pharmacy requests together.
30-day trial, then a subscription · iPhone and Android
Everything connected to one prescription, in one place
A screenshot of the token in your messages is not a system. Neither is a photograph of a paper script. MediRemind keeps the practical parts of a medicinal cannabis prescription together:
- the exact product name, strength and form as written on the prescription
- the eScript, or a record of the paper prescription
- the expiry date, with a warning before it passes
- the repeats remaining, with a warning before they run out
- a dispense request sent to your pharmacy so they can arrange supply ahead
- a request to your prescriber for a new prescription and appointment when repeats run out or a script is close to expiring
Each product gets its own record, so two prescriptions do not become one muddle. Your medication information stays on your device. MediRemind does not prescribe, advise or supply anything; it keeps track of the paperwork.
Setting it up takes about two minutes
- Download MediRemind and start the 30-day trial, then a subscription.
- Add each medication with its eScript token or photographed paper prescription.
- Enter the expiry date and repeats remaining from the prescription.
- Add your pharmacy and prescriber details once, so requests do not need to be typed again.
After that, reminders give you notice before the script expires or repeats run out, with time to order ahead rather than discover the problem at the counter.
Driving
Drug-driving law is set by each state and territory and is under active change. Confirm the current rule with your own road authority before driving. See the full Medicinal Cannabis and Driving in Australia guide.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Most medicinal cannabis is Schedule 8, and a Schedule 8 prescription is valid for six months from the date it was written in every state and territory. Cannabidiol products that are Schedule 4 run for twelve months. [6] [7] [8]
Under Special Access Scheme Category B, approvals are generally valid for two years, with the actual period stated on the approval letter. Under the Authorised Prescriber scheme, approval covers a class of patients for up to five years. [2] [3] [4] [5]
The number is set by the prescriber and written on the prescription, and a pharmacist cannot exceed it. Schedule 8 prescriptions must state the maximum number of supplies and the interval between them. [9] [10] [11]
Yes. NSW Health lists electronic prescriptions as valid for unregistered Schedule 8 medicines, and the Australian Digital Health Agency confirms that electronic prescribing accommodates Schedule 8 medicines nationally. [15] [18]
Because unapproved medicinal cannabis is supplied against a TGA approval for a specific patient and cannot be held as general stock. [12]
The pharmacist cannot substitute a different brand or similar product. A new prescription has to be written. [14]
In seven of the eight states and territories, driving with THC present is an offence regardless of a prescription. Tasmania has a defence where the product was obtained and administered in accordance with its Poisons Act. This is not legal advice. [19]
Almost none of it. Only two cannabis medicines are registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods, and of those only one is PBS listed. Everything else is an unapproved product accessed through the SAS or Authorised Prescriber pathways. [13] [8]
Yes. It records the exact product, strength and form, tracks expiry and repeats separately for each prescription, stores an eScript or paper-script record, and lets you send pharmacy and prescriber requests. It does not prescribe, advise or supply anything.
Stop tracking this in your head
Keep each prescription visible, with enough notice to arrange the next dispense.
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Sources
- TGA, Accessing medicinal cannabis for a patient — https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/explore-topic/medicinal-cannabis-hub/medicinal-cannabis-information-patients/accessing-medicinal-cannabis-patient
- TGA, Medicinal cannabis Special Access Scheme data — https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/explore-topic/medicinal-cannabis-hub/medicinal-cannabis-access-pathways-and-usage-data/medicinal-cannabis-special-access-scheme-data
- TGA, Special Access Scheme guidance for health practitioners — https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/guidance/special-access-scheme-sas-guidance-health-practitioners-accessing-unapproved-therapeutic-goods
- TGA, SAS and AP Online System User Guide, version 2.0, May 2026 — https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/2026-05/special-access-scheme-sas-online-system-guidance-v2.0-20260526.pdf
- TGA, Medicinal cannabis access pathways and usage data — https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/explore-topic/medicinal-cannabis-hub/medicinal-cannabis-access-pathways-and-usage-data
- Ahpra, Medicinal cannabis guidance, 9 July 2025 — https://www.ahpra.gov.au/News/2025-07-09-medicinal-cannabis-guidance.aspx
- Australian Digital Health Agency, Schedule 8 quick reference guide for electronic prescriptions — https://www.digitalhealth.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/schedule_8_quick_reference_guide_for_electronic_prescriptions.pdf
- NSW Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation, clause 80 — https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/whole/html/inforce/current/sl-2008-0392
- Queensland Medicines and Poisons (Medicines) Regulation 2021, section 86 — https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/whole/html/inforce/current/sl-2021-0140
- Medicines and Poisons Regulations 2016 (WA), regulation 12 — https://www.legislation.wa.gov.au
- NSW Health, Cannabis medicines frequently asked questions — https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/pharmaceutical/cannabismedicines/Pages/faqs.aspx
- NSW Health, Cannabis medicines: how to apply — https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/pharmaceutical/cannabismedicines/Pages/how-to-apply.aspx
- Queensland Health, Prescribing and dispensing unapproved medicinal cannabis — https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0032/1256756/fs-prescribing-dispensing-unapproved-medicinal-cannabis.pdf
- NSW Health, Cannabis medicines: prescriptions and dispensing — https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/pharmaceutical/cannabismedicines/Pages/prescriptions-and-dispensing.aspx
- TGA, Access to medicinal cannabis products: frequently asked questions — https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/explore-topic/medicinal-cannabis-hub/medicinal-cannabis-access-pathways-and-usage-data/access-medicinal-cannabis-products-frequently-asked-questions-faqs
- NSW Health, Pharmacists frequently asked questions — https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/pharmaceutical/pharmacists/Pages/faq-pharmacists.aspx
- Australian Digital Health Agency, Electronic prescribing frequently asked questions — https://developer.digitalhealth.gov.au/resources/electronic-prescribing-frequently-asked-questions
- Transport for NSW, Medical cannabis — https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/topics-tips/drugs/medical-cannabis
- Tasmanian Department of Health, Medicinal cannabis information for patients and general public — https://www.health.tas.gov.au/health-topics/medicines-and-poisons-regulation/medicinal-cannabis/medicinal-cannabis-information-patients-and-general-public
- Transport Victoria, Medicinal cannabis and driving — https://transport.vic.gov.au/road-and-active-transport/road-rules-and-safety/alcohol-drugs-and-driving/medicinal-cannabis-and-driving
- Government of South Australia, The Driver's Handbook: drugs — https://www.mylicence.sa.gov.au/road-rules/the-drivers-handbook/drugs
- SA Health, Frequently asked questions on medicinal cannabis — https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/conditions/medicines/medicinal+cannabis/frequently+asked+questions+on+medicinal+cannabis
MediRemind is a medication management and utilisation app only. This page is general information about prescription administration in Australia. It is not medical advice or legal advice. It does not promote, prescribe, supply, sell or recommend any medicine, product, brand, dose or treatment, and it does not discuss what medicinal cannabis is used for. Speak with your prescriber and pharmacist about your own treatment. Laws and regulations are changing. Sources were checked on 10 September 2026.