Heres some info
Restrictions
Pharmaceutical benefits listed in the Schedule fall into three broad categories:
Unrestricted benefits - which have no restrictions on their therapeutic uses;
Restricted benefits - which can only be prescribed for specific therapeutic uses (they are noted as restricted benefit); and
Authority required benefits - which are restricted and require prior approval from HIC or the DVA (they are noted as authority required).
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Authority prescriptions
Only doctors (not dentists) can write authority prescriptions.
Approval of authority prescriptions by HIC may be obtained either by posting an Authority Prescription Form to HIC, by calling HIC's Authority Freecall service (1800 888 333), or by using HIC's PBS authorities website at
http://www.hic.gov.au/providers/. Approval of authority prescriptions by the DVA may be obtained either by posting an Authority Prescription Form to the DVA, or by using the DVA's Authority Freecall service (1800 552 580).
An authority prescription is not valid until it has been approved by HIC or the DVA. Until then, a pharmacist must not supply the item as a benefit.
The Authority Prescription Form includes:
the original copy, which records doctor, patient and pharmaceutical benefit item details. After approval, HIC will forward it with the duplicate to the patient or the doctor (if it is to be sent direct to the patient, the doctor should mark the box next to the patient's details). In the new format, the original ("patient/pharmacist copy") is attached to repeat authorisations until the last supply is made, and is then retained by the pharmacist.
the duplicate copy, which is used for repeat supplies and is attached to repeat authorisations until the last supply is made. The duplicate is then retained by the pharmacist. In the new format, the duplicate ("HIC/DVA copy") is forwarded to HIC for processing and payment.
the triplicate ("doctor or HIC/DVA") copy, which is kept by HIC or the DVA for record purposes when approval is sought in writing. Where approval is by telephone, the doctor must keep this copy for 12 months. This copy must record the daily dose, details of the disease, the clinical justification for using the item, the patient's age (if the patient is a child) and whether the patient has previously received an authority for this pharmaceutical benefit.
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Writing authority prescriptions
The following rules apply:
only one item may be prescribed per prescription;
the prescription must be completed by doctors in their own handwriting, unless otherwise approved by HIC;
doctors should include their name, address, telephone number and prescriber number (not provider number), and the patient's name, address and entitlement status;
doctors must indicate when brand substitution is not permitted. PBS prescriptions must not be prepared using a computer prescribing program that contains a default which would result in all prescriptions being indicated as Brand Substitution Not Permitted;
in certain circumstances, the doctor must provide additional information to HIC with the authority application; and
the prescription must be signed by the doctor and dated.
In the case of applications which are posted, lack necessary information and cannot be approved, the applications will be returned to doctors for correction. If a doctor can clarify the matter via telephone, an Authority to Prescribe Form may be prepared by HIC or the DVA and sent to the doctor.
In the case of authority prescriptions approved by telephone, the doctor should ensure the approval number is included on the prescription to enable the pharmacist to supply the medication. A prescriber who is granted approval but decides not to continue with the therapy should advise HIC.
Go
here for a full listing of PBS approved meds and their level of restriction, pricing etc..
