Handle 'too soon' Authority prescription 012-63020110

‘Too soon’ is defined as a time when another authority prescription for the same item has previously been approved, and adequate supplies should still exist.

If the system shows more than two months' supply (filled or unfilled), it is considered as too soon, except in the case of Dangerous Drugs (DDs) and certain exceptions specified on the National Drug Reference Database (NDRD) where more than one month’s supply is considered as too soon.

The listed situations are acceptable to approve without Pharmaceutical Adviser (PA) referral only where:

• all other approval requirements for the item are met
• necessary approval and supply history checks are undertaken

Note: ensure you add authority comments to record the reason.

The acceptable situations for ‘too soon’ approval are:

• 'Once off' lost, stolen or destroyed scripts/medication
• Quantity/repeats dispensed is less than approved
• Dose adjustment (increase or decrease)
• Additional strength (different PBS item code) of the same medication is required
• Incorrect dose/quantity/repeats keyed into system
• Discharge prescription from PBS reformed public hospitals (up to one month)
• Unable to access previous scripts due to moving to/from residential care or private hospitals
• Previous authority not completely dispensed, where:
• prescription has expired due to state/territory legislation
• patient is travelling (approve for duration of travel only). Note: opioid rules still apply
• patient has changed pharmacy and requirement for previous pharmacy to retain repeats
• Specialist scripts (the patient may only see the specialist infrequently due to accessibility)
• Except for opioids, stimulants and alprazolam
• Section 49 (previously Regulation 24)
• Except for opioids, stimulants