National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Determination 2021
PB 84 of 2021
made under subsection 89A(3) of the
National Health Act 1953
Compilation No. 23
Compilation date: 22 December 2025
Includes amendments: F2025L01616
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Determination 2021 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 22 December 2025 (the compilation date).
The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.
Uncommenced amendments
The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au).
Application, saving and transitional provisions
If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.
Editorial changes
For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.
Presentational changes
The Legislation Act 2003 provides for First Parliamentary Counsel to make presentational changes to a compilation. Presentational changes are applied to give a more consistent look and feel to legislation published on the Register, and enable the user to more easily navigate those documents.
Modifications
If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. Any modifications affecting the law are accessible on the Register.
Self‑repealing provisions
If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.
Contents
1 Name
3 Authority
4 Definitions
5 Supply of pharmaceutical benefits by approved pharmacist without prescription
Endnotes
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Endnote 4—Amendment history
1 Name
(1) This instrument is the National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Determination 2021.
(2) This instrument may also be cited as PB 84 of 2021.
3 Authority
This instrument is made under subsection 89A(3) of the National Health Act 1953.
4 Definitions
Note: The expression premises that is used in this instrument is defined in the Act.
In this instrument:
Act means the National Health Act 1953.
approved pharmacist has the same meaning as in Part VII of the Act.
listed drug has the same meaning as in Part VII of the Act.
PBS prescriber has the same meaning as in Part VII of the Act.
pharmaceutical benefit has the same meaning as in Part VII of the Act.
5 Supply of pharmaceutical benefits by approved pharmacist without prescription
(1) A pharmaceutical benefit (the substitute benefit) described in column 2 of an item of the table in subsection (8) may be supplied without a prescription to a person by an approved pharmacist, at or from premises in respect of which the pharmacist is approved, if:
(a) a prescription for a pharmaceutical benefit (the prescribed benefit) described in column 1 of the item is presented to the approved pharmacist; and
(b) subsections (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7) apply.
Approved pharmacist cannot supply prescribed benefit
(2) This subsection applies if the approved pharmacist cannot supply the prescribed benefit.
Person cannot obtain prescription for substitute benefit in time
(3) This subsection applies if the approved pharmacist is satisfied that it is not practicable for the person to obtain a prescription for the substitute benefit from a PBS prescriber before the person needs the supply of the prescribed benefit.
Substitution permitted under Therapeutic Goods Act
(4) This subsection applies if the substitute benefit may be dispensed in accordance with section 30EL of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.
Person presenting prescription has been informed of cost implications
(5) This subsection applies if the approved pharmacist has informed the person presenting the prescription of:
(a) each substitute benefit that the approved pharmacist can supply instead of the prescribed benefit; and
(b) for each substitute benefit that the approved pharmacist can supply:
(i) the amount (which may be a nil amount) that the approved pharmacist would, if the approved pharmacist supplied the substitute benefit to the person for whom the prescribed benefit was prescribed, be permitted by Part VII of the Act to charge that person for that supply; and
(ii) the amount that the approved pharmacist would, if the approved pharmacist supplied the substitute benefit otherwise than under Part VII of the Act to the person for whom the prescribed benefit was prescribed, charge that person for that supply; and
(c) the amount (which may be a nil amount) that the approved pharmacist would, if the approved pharmacist supplied the prescribed benefit to the person for whom it was prescribed, be permitted by Part VII of the Act to charge that person for that supply.
Record of information justifying supply of substitute benefit
(6) This subsection applies if the approved pharmacist records the information that the approved pharmacist used to support the decision to supply the substitute benefit, including the following statements:
(a) a statement that the substitute benefit supplied is a pharmaceutical benefit determined under paragraph 89A(3)(a) of the Act;
(b) a statement that the conditions in this section are satisfied;
(c) a statement that the approved pharmacist is satisfied that the substitute benefit needs to be supplied because:
(i) the approved pharmacist cannot supply the prescribed benefit; and
(ii) it is not practicable for the person to obtain a prescription for the substitute benefit from a PBS prescriber before the person needs the supply of the prescribed benefit.
Arrangements to inform PBS prescriber of substitution
(7) This subsection applies if the approved pharmacist has in place arrangements for giving, to the PBS prescriber who wrote the prescription for the prescribed benefit, written notice of the supply of the substitute benefit, within 72 hours after that supply.
Table of prescribed and substitute pharmaceutical benefits
(8) For the purposes of subsection (1), the table is as follows.
Prescribed and substitute pharmaceutical benefits | ||
Item | Column 1 | Column 2 |
1. | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 390 micrograms, 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estradot 25 | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 750 micrograms (as hemihydrate), 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estraderm MX 25 |
2. | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 750 micrograms (as hemihydrate), 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estraderm MX 25 | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 390 micrograms, 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estradot 25
|
3. | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 780 micrograms, 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estradot 50 | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 1.5 mg (as hemihydrate), 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estraderm MX 50
|
4. | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 780 micrograms, 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estradot 50 | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 390 micrograms, 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estradot 25 |
5. | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 780 micrograms, 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estradot 50 | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 750 micrograms (as hemihydrate), 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estraderm MX 25 |
6. | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 1.5 mg (as hemihydrate), 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estraderm MX 50 | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 780 micrograms, 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estradot 50 |
7. | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 1.5 mg (as hemihydrate), 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estraderm MX 50 | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 390 micrograms, 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estradot 25 |
8. | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 1.5 mg (as hemihydrate), 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estraderm MX 50 | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 750 micrograms (as hemihydrate), 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estraderm MX 25 |
9. | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 1.17 mg, 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estradot 75 | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 585 micrograms, 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: any of the following: (a) Estradot 37.5 (b) Estradiol Transdermal System (Sandoz, USA) |
10. | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 1.56 mg, 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estradot 100 | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 3 mg (as hemihydrate), 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estraderm MX 100 |
11. | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 1.56 mg, 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estradot 100 | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 780 micrograms, 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estradot 50 |
12. | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 1.56 mg, 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estradot 100 | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 1.5 mg (as hemihydrate), 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estraderm MX 50 |
13. | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 3 mg (as hemihydrate), 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estraderm MX 100 | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 1.56 mg, 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: any of the following: (a) Estradot 100 (b) Estradiol Transdermal System (Sandoz, USA) |
14. | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 3 mg (as hemihydrate), 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estraderm MX 100 | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 780 micrograms, 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estradot 50 |
15. | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 3 mg (as hemihydrate), 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estraderm MX 100 | Listed drug: Estradiol Form: Transdermal patches 1.5 mg (as hemihydrate), 8 Manner of administration: Transdermal Brand: Estraderm MX 50 |
16. | Listed drug: Insulin isophane Form: Injections (human), cartridges, 100 units per mL, 3 mL, 5 Manner of administration: Injection Brand: Protaphane InnoLet | Listed drug: Insulin isophane Form: Injections (human), cartridges, 100 units per mL, 3 mL, 5 Manner of administration: Injection Brand: Protaphane Penfill 3 mL |
17. | Listed drug: Nicorandil Form: Tablets 10 mg, 60 Manner of administration: Oral Brand: APO‑Nicorandil | Listed drug: Nicorandil Form: Tablets 20 mg, 60 Manner of administration: Oral Brand: any of the following: a) APO‑Nicorandil b) Ikotab |
18. | Listed drug: Nicorandil Form: Tablets 10 mg, 60 Manner of administration: Oral Brand: Ikotab | Listed drug: Nicorandil Form: Tablets 20 mg, 60 Manner of administration: Oral Brand: any of the following: a) APO‑Nicorandil b) Ikotab |
19. | Listed drug: Nicorandil Form: Tablets 20 mg, 60 Manner of administration: Oral Brand: APO‑Nicorandil | Listed drug: Nicorandil Form: Tablets 10 mg, 60 Manner of administration: Oral Brand: any of the following: a) APO‑Nicorandil b) Ikotab |
20. | Listed drug: Nicorandil Form: Tablets 20 mg, 60 Manner of administration: Oral Brand: Ikotab | Listed drug: Nicorandil Form: Tablets 10 mg, 60 Manner of administration: Oral Brand: any of the following: a) APO‑Nicorandil b) Ikotab |
21 | Listed drug: Simvastatin Form: Tablet 5 mg Manner of administration: Oral Brand: Zimstat | Listed drug: Simvastatin Form: Tablet 10 mg Manner of administration: Oral Brand: any of the following: a) APO-Simvastatin b) SIMVASTATIN-WGR c) Simvar 10 d) Simvastatin Sandoz e) Zimstat |
22 | Listed drug: Clonidine Form: Tablet containing clonidine hydrochloride 150 micrograms Manner of administration: Oral Brand: Catapres | Listed drug: Clonidine Form: Tablet containing clonidine hydrochloride 100 micrograms Manner of administration: Oral Brand: any of the following: a) APO-Clonidine b) Catapres 100 c) Clonidine Lupin |
Endnotes
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.
The following endnotes are included in every compilation:
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Endnote 4—Amendment history
Abbreviation key—Endnote 2
The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.
Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4
Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.
The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.
The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.
Editorial changes
The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.
If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.
Misdescribed amendments
A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section 15V of the Legislation Act 2003.
If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and “(md not incorp)” is added to the amendment history.
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
ad = added or inserted | orig = original |
am = amended | p = page(s) |
amdt = amendment | para = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s) |
C[x] = Compilation No. x | /sub‑subparagraph(s) |
ch = Chapter(s) | pres = present |
cl = clause(s) | prev = previous |
cont. = continued | (prev…) = previously |
def = definition(s) | pt = Part(s) |
Dict = Dictionary | r = regulation(s)/Court rule(s) |
disallowed = disallowed by Parliament | reloc = relocated |
div = Division(s) | renum = renumbered |
ed = editorial change | rep = repealed |
exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have | rs = repealed and substituted |
effect | s = section(s)/subsection(s) |
gaz = gazette | /rule(s)/subrule(s)/order(s)/suborder(s) |
LA = Legislation Act 2003 | sch = Schedule(s) |
LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003 | SLI = Select Legislative Instrument |
(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given | SR = Statutory Rules |
effect | sub ch = Sub‑Chapter(s) |
(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment | sub div = Subdivision(s) |
cannot be given effect | sub pt = Subpart(s) |
mod = modified/modification | underlining = whole or part not |
No. = Number(s) | commenced or to be commenced |
Ord = Ordinance |
|
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Name | Registration | Commencement | Application, saving and transitional provisions |
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Determination 2021 (PB 84 of 2021) | 15 Aug 2021 (F2021L01118) | 16 Aug 2021 (s 2(1) item 1) |
|
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Amendment (No. 1) Determination 2021 (PB 95 of 2021) | 19 Aug 2021 (F2021L01138) | 20 Aug 2021 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Amendment (No. 2) Determination 2021 (PB 108 of 2021) | 17 Sept 2021 (F2021L01296) | 18 Sept 2021 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Amendment (No. 1) Determination 2022 (PB 10 of 2022) | 7 Feb 2022 (F2022L00117) | 8 Feb 2022 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Amendment (No. 2) Determination 2022 (PB 42 of 2022) | 19 May 2022 (F2022L00711) | 20 May 2022 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Amendment (No. 3) Determination 2022 (PB 73 of 2022) | 29 July 2022 (F2022L01030) | 1 Aug 2022 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Amendment (No. 4) Determination 2022 (PB 119 of 2022) | 5 Dec 2022 (F2022L01581) | 6 Dec 2022 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Amendment (No. 5) Determination 2022 (PB 131 of 2022) | 20 Dec 2022 (F2022L01715) | 21 Dec 2022 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Amendment (No. 1) Determination 2023 (PB 20 of 2023) | 16 Mar 2023 (F2023L00235) | 17 Mar 2023 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Amendment (No. 2) Determination 2023 (PB 32 of 2023) | 14 Apr 2023 (F2023L00441) | 17 Apr 2023 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Amendment (No. 3) Determination 2023 (PB 41 of 2023) | 1 May 2023 (F2023L00516) | 1 May 2023 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Amendment (No. 4) Determination 2023 (PB 66 of 2023) | 5 July 2023 (F2023L00974) | 6 July 2023 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Amendment (No. 5) Determination 2023 (PB 78 of 2023) | 31 July 2023 (F2023L01047) | 1 Aug 2023 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Amendment (No. 6) Determination 2023 (PB 90 of 2023) | 14 Sept 2023 (F2023L01236) | 15 Sept 2023 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Amendment (No. 7) Determination 2023 (PB 126 of 2023) | 8 Dec 2023 (F2023L01632) | 11 Dec 2023 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Amendment (No. 1) Determination 2024 (PB 12 of 2024) | 31 Jan 2024 (F2024L00115) | 1 Feb 2024 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Amendment (No. 2) Determination 2024 (PB 13 of 2024) | 28 Feb 2024 (F2024L00242) | 29 Feb 2024 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Amendment (No. 3) Determination 2024 (PB 51 of 2024) | 14 May 2024 (F2024L00539) | 15 May 2024 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Amendment (No. 4) Determination 2024 (PB 122 of 2024) | 15 Nov 2024 (F2024L01457) | 19 Nov 2024 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Amendment (No. 5) Determination 2024 (PB 137 of 2024) | 12 Dec 2024 (F2024L01645) | 16 Dec 2024 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Amendment (No. 1) Determination 2025 (PB 52 of 2025) | 27 May 2025 (F2025L00604) | 28 May 2025 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Amendment (No. 2) Determination 2025 (PB 149 of 2025) | 27 Nov 2025 (F2025L01440) | 28 Nov 2025 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Amendment (No. 3) Determination 2025 (PB 150 of 2025) | 4 Dec 2025 (F2025L01490) | 5 Dec 2025 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Amendment (No. 4) Determination 2025 (PB 163 of 2025) | 19 Dec 2025 (F2025L01616) | 22 Dec 2025 (s 2(1) item 1) | — |
Endnote 4—Amendment history
Provision affected | How affected |
s 2..................... | rep LA s 48D |
s 5..................... | am F2021L01138; F2021L01296; F2022L00117; F2022L00711; F2022L01030; F2022L01581; F2022L01715; F2023L00235 |
| ed C8 |
| am F2023L00441; F2023L00516; F2023L00974; F2023L01047; F2023L01236; F2023L01632; F2024L00115; F2024L00242; F2024L00539; F2024L01457; F2024L01645; F2025L00604; F2025L01440; F2025L01490; F2025L01616 |