Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Hospital Medication Chart (HMC) 012-60030090

This document outlines the how to use the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Hospital Medication Chart (HMC) to prescribe, dispense supply and claim medicines directly in public and private hospitals.

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Hospital Medication Chart (HMC)

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Hospital Medication Chart (HMC) initiative was introduced as a 2014-15 Budget Measure. The PBS HMC is a national standard PBS-compliant hospital medication chart to be used in public and private hospitals. The PBS HMC can be used to prescribe, dispense, supply and claim PBS medicines directly, without the need for a separate paper prescription. The PBS HMC provides an alternate option for prescribers in the hospital setting.

The PBS HMC was developed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) from the National Inpatient Medication Chart (NIMC). It retains the safety elements of the NIMC and incorporates additional fields for PBS prescribing and supply.

This change aims to:

• reduce the regulatory and administrative burden for health professionals
• improve hospital efficiency by providing an alternate option for prescribing, dispensing, supplying and claiming of PBS medicines, and
• improve the quality and safety of medication management

The Resources page contains:

• a table of frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) Hospital Medication Chart (HMC)
• links to the Services Australia Website, and external websites
• attachments for long and short stay PBS HMC

Related links

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) - Health Professionals