About Script Renewal Requests

Please, always use the Script Renewal Request Form linked here to request script renewals for any medications prescribed by your associated provider.

Fees are charged by the associated paediatricians for the following requests for processing

  • prescription renewals or

  • prescription repeat checks

Checking Prescription Repeats

Do you need to make a script request at this time?

Please ensure you check your repeats before submitting a script request to avoid an unnecessary Script Request Fee:

To avoid a fee, check the number of repeats left on the medication packet or at a pharmacy.

Repeats should be listed on the dispensing label on your child’s medication.

It is very likely that you have repeats, and the new script you request cannot be issued if the label shows you have repeats and it is less than

  • 6 months (Stimulant and other monitored medications) was first written, or

  • 12 months (for other medications) since the script was first written.

If unsure, contact a pharmacist. The pharmacist who issued the recent script should have sent you an SMS reporting and documenting your eScript repeats. This will have been sent to one parent, so parents should check with each other to see if they have received this SMS. You may receive paper repeats, or they may be kept at the pharmacy.

Any pharmacist can check Script Check for your child’s current stimulant or other monitored medication prescription status, repeat availability, and where you last filled the prescription.

Paediatricians can investigate your current script status, but this service and the associated administrative work will be billed to you even if the doctor has not provided a new script. Checking the script status usually takes as much time as, or more than, issuing a new script.

Repeats- the number that can be issued and expiry:

Stimulant Scripts expire after 6 months, regardless of whether you have used all the repeats or not.

Usually, six prescriptions (initial plus five repeats) are issued for most long-acting stimulants. Sometimes Paediatricians issue a smaller amount as a trial or to cover you until a review appointment.

If your child takes the medication every day, you will run out of scripts in just under 6 months (because some months are 31 days).

Is the Script Request Fee always invoiced?

Staff will, prior to issuing the invoice, have checked your provider's

  • Indication in the file of a specific intention to provide the requested script outside an appointment, without charge.

  • General policy requiring an appointment for all cases involving certain types of Requests, in which case the Request will not be processed or charged. Instead, we will offer an appointment, or place your child on the Cancellation List for an earlier appointment.

  • General policy to sometimes require, at their discretion, an appointment when additional work or consultation is needed. Hence, an appointment may be required when a number of scripts or a medication review are needed. In this case, your doctor may, at their discretion, adjust the appointment fee to reflect the Script Request Fee already paid.

If a request is urgent, or your provider is on leave, an associated locum may complete the Request for your doctor, either with or without an appointment, at their discretion.

Why fees? 

Fees help to cover the processing of prescription requests, including administrative work and your doctor’s time and service. Authority and Script Checks are part of this work.

How to avoid Script Request Fees:

Your provider will aim to offer review appointments in time for script renewals. Some providers may schedule a Script renewal and further eScript for your child in their tasks to avoid the administrative work of processing a Script Request. 

However, to avoid the need for a Script Request outside of an appointment,

  • check for unused repeats as above.

  • renew your repeat before 6 months elapses.

  • please schedule your child's review appointment for the issue of scripts at the correct time.

  • Instead of submitting a Request, you can ask to book or bring forward an appointment.

  • Remember to discuss and plan any script needs with your provider at your appointment.

  • Consider if your GP can provide the Script Renewal.

Script Renewal Request Form
 

Stimulant Medications shortage?

If you are not able to fill your Concerta/ Teva XR or Ritalin LA script due to the current shortage, please go here for more information and a form to request an alternative medication.

Request alternative to Concerta Script
 

Medical professional responsibilities regarding prescriptions

Your paediatrician or their locum,​ ​as per their professional, clinical and regulatory responsibilities,

  • may require a face-to-face review, usually a month, after beginning a new medication or dosage ​change.

  • will require, in the case of Authority Prescriptions, that your child is reviewed with a physical check-up face to face at least every six months and may decline the script request until your child can attend a review appointment.​ Please contact the rooms to arrange an appointment if not already booked.

  • may agree that a child from a regional, rural or remote area may have their medication reviewed over video but also require a physical check with and report from a more local health provider such as a GP. 

  • may issue an interim script, if possible,​ once you have booked a review appointment and require that your child attend that appointment before any further prescription is made.

  • will require your child to have a current referral to their care for this matter. 

  • may decline to renew the prescription.