i cant see an authority number on my script

[suchislife]

for an s8 drug isnt there supposed to be an authority number on the scripts, howcome i cant see anything different from any other scripts, no special number or anything? i dont get it

 

[tyrael]

Yes, and no.

For instance,a new law was passed mid last year (around July I think) which now allows GP's to prescribe certain drugs which are used to aid opiate addiction (bupe/morph/methadone) - of course still within limitations. Now I can't remember the exact steps the GP must do (been up all night but can find out if you need), but obviously an authority is still required, but the GP's are given a little le-way in terms on how quickly it's obtained.

Maybe this happened in your case?

Otherwise, (and this will depend on the pharmacist/GP) the script, technically speaking, should not be filled.

 

[suchislife]

im takling oxy 80's script could you please find out im curiuos to see why and how this works

 

[Mr Blonde]

^ There will only be an authority number if it is a PBS script that required a Medicare authority number. Looking at the PBS page for this tablet, it has a restricted benefit which means that it will only be covered if the situation meets certain requirements, and changes to the number of repeats under the PBS will only be authorized for certain situations. The doctor has to provide this proof (basically his word unless an audit is done) to Medicare, he does not receive an authority number.

Compare that page with alprazolam. See the authority required link? That means that when the doctor calls up to state that the treatment meets the requirements, he will be given an authority number to put on the actual prescription.

Just so you know, authorities and restricted benefits aren't just for drugs with abuse potential; drugs such as the cholesterol lowering statin Lipitor and many drugs for HIV/AIDS patients also require these conditions to be subsidized on the PBS, due to either costs or to make sure that a proper treatment protocol is being followed.

The type of authority you and Tyrael are thinking of, from the health department for the prescribing of an S8 drug, is not printed on the prescription.

 

[Oxycondone]

Generally the authority will be applied for by your doc (and hopefully obtained) before 6 months of opiate use is up. If successful your doc and any other doctor they list as a co prescriber will receive a pink form from the health department stating the drug and concentration they are able to provide a patient with. The authority, while given to a specific doctor, enables any other doctors in the same practice to prescribe that patient their medication as well.

I hope that helps to answer your question.

 

[tyrael]

That's what I was thinking Oxy. I think the OP was as to why the authority wasnt on the script itself.

Thanks for the clear up too M_B!

 

[Oxycondone]

Glad I could help.

Oh and I think it may be 2 months not 6... (probably depends state to state). Also in case people stumble across this thread in the future I am only referring to opiates and not S8 stimulants which generally always require an authority (which does appear on the actual script).

 

[88brenno]

So how long does an S8 stimulant authority script take to get? As in once i see my specialist and he says yeah you could benefit from the dexies, how long until i can pick up my script?

i was under the impression it was a wham bam thankyou mam type of thing

 

[Mr Blonde]

^ If he feels it's appropriate, he will hand you a prescription that session. We can't tell you what your doctor likes to do or how he will handle your particular situation though.

 

[suchislife]

Oh ok so (restricted benefit) and alzepam says authority required, what does restricted benefit mean i thought Oxycodone needed an authority number , does restricted benefit mean only if they have repeats they do need one or i might be wrong there aswell. please clear this up thanks champ.

 

[suchislife]

And in this case how the hell can these scripts be forged if the authority number is not on the script it self, Gillard says she is spending 5 million dollars on a system that will stop frogeries and so on and make the pharmacies go live with medicare and the doctors etc, but with the system thats already in place why are they wasting more money because its practically forge prove. if its not explain a scenario where script can be forged and not be tracked back to the buyer

 

[tyrael]

Oh ok so (restricted benefit) and alzepam says authority required, what does restricted benefit mean i thought Oxycodone needed an authority number , does restricted benefit mean only if they have repeats they do need one or i might be wrong there aswell. please clear this up thanks champ.

]

M_B has answered this above. Restricted benefit doesn't have anything to do with repeated scripting. If the situation/drug in question requires a DDU authority then, yes it is required (read: the GP must fill in the required paper work and send this to the DDU to get the authority. - A GP alone does not have the power ("authority") to prescribe the certain drugs (such as the ones you're talking about).

....And in this case how the hell can these scripts be forged if the authority number is not on the script it self....

True. Although there are number of safety features and procedures in place to prevent forgeries.

....
, Gillard says she is spending 5 million dollars on a system that will stop frogeries and so on and make the pharmacies go live with medicare and the doctors etc, but with the system thats already in place why are they wasting more money because its practically forge prove. if its not explain a scenario where script can be forged and not be tracked back to the buyer

I see you're point. However as you said it's "practically", not entirely impossible. Having said that though, I am not really across the entire "Gillard change of scheduling/procedure" bisso (can I say "debacle" instead? lol) so I really can't/shouldn't comment on it too much. Check out this thread since it relates to what you said above.

 

[Oxycondone]

Scripts are not forge proof!

Computer generated scripts are semi secure but handwritten scripts are totally open to all sorts of forgery. Even computer generated scripts are quite easy to abuse atm for opiates if you wanted to risk it. DO NOT EVER ATTEMPT THIS!

Authority for opiates is only required after using them for a certain time frame as I previously mentioned. After this the authority is granted for a patient to continue the course of treatment. They do not individually authorise opiate scripts (except hydromorphone in some states, even then questionable). If you fill opiate scripts for too long without the authority you and your doctor will be reprimanded by the state health departments in charge. With the authority you can do whatever you like as long as it is within the confines of the authorisation.

 

[Oxycondone]

Sorry for the double post but I thought that I might add that I think a mod may want to close this thread as most of the relevant information is now here or can be googled for and it is likely this thread will head towards "how do i obtain/write/ect a script and get away with it".

 

[tyrael]

Scripts are not forge proof!

I'm aware of this, hope it wasn't directed as me.

....Authority for opiates is only required after using them for a certain time frame as I previously mentioned.....

I don't entirely believe this (unless I maybe misinterpreting what you're meaning) since the Authority should (must) be obtained before (certain) opiates can be prescribed. So not only after a time frame. Afaik know the drugs (in question) are code 10 (I think it's a code 10, don't quote me though) which means the every day GP cannot touch it, or can do but must adhere to quite heavy restrictions (cross all T's, cross all I's in a sense).

....If you fill opiate scripts for too long without the authority *{snip}* your doctor will be reprimanded by the state health departments in charge. With the authority you can do whatever you like as long as it is within the confines of the authorisation.

True. Tbh (in the sense we're all talking here anyway) the Authority obtained by a GP from DDU is more or less as it sounds - The DDU "gives" the GP (or whomever) the authority to prescribed heavy regulated drugs.

.... i thought Oxycodone needed an authority number....

No, as said before, only certain drugs must obtain and authority.

 

[jeffro88]

Scripts are not forge proof!

Computer generated scripts are semi secure but handwritten scripts are totally open to all sorts of forgery. Even computer generated scripts are quite easy to abuse atm for opiates if you wanted to risk it. DO NOT EVER ATTEMPT THIS!

Authority for opiates is only required after using them for a certain time frame as I previously mentioned. After this the authority is granted for a patient to continue the course of treatment. They do not individually authorise opiate scripts (except hydromorphone in some states, even then questionable). If you fill opiate scripts for too long without the authority you and your doctor will be reprimanded by the state health departments in charge. With the authority you can do whatever you like as long as it is within the confines of the authorisation.

How will you as a individual get into trouble , We should not have to know any rules we aren't experts in the medical proffesion if the doctor prescribes us something it is not our responsibility to check up on the legalitys on taking it if the pharmacist filled the script.

 

[Mr Blonde]

^ You won't the doctor will. It is their responsibility to obtain an authority to keep prescribing the S8 opioid past the cut off point, they obtain this well before hand if they know the situation will call for it. If you are a terminal cancer patient, the period they do not need an authority from the health department for increases.

Sorry for the double post but I thought that I might add that I think a mod may want to close this thread as most of the relevant information is now here or can be googled for and it is likely this thread will head towards "how do i obtain/write/ect a script and get away with it".

I agree with this, much of this information is available through Google and we have even covered a lot of it in this forum before. Also, most of these rules and regulations are things only your doctor has to worry about so I don't think it's quite necessary to keep this open.