Actually theres been a recent update and change to the scheduling rules as well as what drugs fall under what. I will try and find it for you now. Australia has very strict analog laws unfortunately also. But at least
Bromazepam is prescribed (my second favorite benzo!) and flunitrazepam isn't Illegal
Schedule 2: Pharmacy Medicine[edit]
Schedule 2 (S2) drugs and poisons, otherwise known as Pharmacy Medicines, are substances and preparations for therapeutic use that –
- are substantially safe in use but where advice or counselling is available if necessary;
- are for minor ailments or symptoms that –
- can be easily recognised by the consumer and
- do not require medical diagnosis or management.
Examples:
The SUSMP March 2018 defines a Schedule 2 substance as "Substances, the safe use of which may require advice from a pharmacist and which should be available from a pharmacy or, where a pharmacy service is not available, from a licensed person."
[6]
The location of these medications in the pharmacy varies from state to state.
Schedule 3: Pharmacist Only Medicine[edit]
Schedule 3 (S3) drugs and poisons, otherwise known as Pharmacist Only Medicines, are substances and preparations for therapeutic use that –
- are substantially safe in use but require professional advice or counselling by a pharmacist;
- require pharmacist advice, management, or monitoring;
- are for ailments or symptoms that –
- can be identified by the consumer and verified by a pharmacist;
- do not require medical diagnosis, or only require initial medical diagnosis, and do not require close medical management.
Some states have subsets of Schedule 3 with additional requirements (see below). Only some Schedule 3 medicines may be advertised to the public.
Examples:
Schedule 4: Prescription Only Medicine[edit]
Schedule 4 (S4) drugs and poisons, otherwise known as
prescription only medicines, are substances and preparations for therapeutic use that –
- require professional medical, dental, or veterinary management or monitoring;
- are for ailments or symptoms that require professional medical, dental, or veterinary diagnosis or management;
- may require further evaluation for safety or efficacy;
- are new therapeutic substances.
The price of many Schedule 4 substances are subsidized by the
Australian Government through the
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), when prescribed by an authorized prescriber. Certain medications may require an authority from the
PBS. Situations that may require an authority include where the drug may only have benefit in limited conditions, the true cost of the drug is high, or when there is a risk of dependence. Some states have subsets of Schedule 4 with additional requirements (see below). Schedule 4 medicines cannot be advertised directly to the public.
Examples:
Schedule 5: Caution[edit]
Schedule 5 (S5) drugs and poisons are substances and preparations that must have appropriate packaging and simple warning labels to display that these poisons:
- have low toxicity or a low concentration;
- have a low to moderate hazard;
- can cause only minor adverse effects to the human being in normal use;
- require caution in handling, storage, or use.
Schedule 6: Poison[edit]
Must use distinctive packaging and strong warnings to display the potential for:
- moderate to high toxicity;
- that may cause death or severe injury if ingested, inhaled, or in contact with the skin or eyes.
Schedule 7: Dangerous Drug[edit]
Substances with a high potential for causing harm at low exposure and which:
- Require special precautions for manufacture, handling or use; or
- Only available to specialised and authorised users with appropriate skills
- Special regulations regarding their availability, possession, storage or use may apply
Schedule 8: Controlled Drug[edit]
Schedule 8 (S8) drugs and poisons, otherwise known as Controlled Drugs, are substances and preparations for therapeutic use which have high potential for
abuse and
addiction. The possession of these medications without authority is an offence.
Like schedule 4 substances, the price of many Schedule substances are subsidized through the
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), some of which may require an authority. In addition, in some states, all drugs on schedule 8 require a doctor to have an S8 permit before prescribing treatment. For example, in
NSW the prescribing of Schedule 8 CNS stimulant medication (e.g.,
methylphenidate,
dexamfetamine) requires authorisation from the NSW Ministry of Health (Pharmaceutical Services) and is generally restricted to specialists, such as paediatricians and psychiatrists. A GP (
General Practitioner) cannot initiate the treatment, although they can prescribe in very limited circumstances, e.g. co-prescribing on behalf of the specialist; and in rural areas, if the patient has been diagnosed with
ADHD, a GP may apply for the authority to prescribe. Patients who may require Schedule 8 CNS stimulant medication should be referred to a specialist for assessment.
Examples:
Schedule 9: Prohibited Substance[edit]
Schedule 9 (S9) drugs and poisons are substances and preparations that, by law, may only be used for research purposes. The sale, distribution, use, and manufacture of such substances without a permit is strictly prohibited by law. Permits for research uses on humans must be approved by a recognized
ethics committee on human research.
Examples:
Schedule 10: Substances of such danger to health as to warrant prohibition of sale, supply and use
