Overseas Drug Diversion
The Australian Government's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) provides all Australian residents and eligible visitors with affordable and reliable access to approximately 2500 prescription medicines.
Medicare Australia works to ensure the appropriate and efficient use of the PBS to secure its future for all Australians.
It is illegal to export PBS subsidised medicine unless it is for personal use or the use of someone travelling with you.
PBS subsidised medicine is sometimes taken or sent from Australia for re-sale or for relatives and friends overseas who may not be able to obtain this medicine in their home country. Such activity is illegal and has potential health implications.
Legal issues
Under the National Health Act 1953, it is illegal to take or send PBS subsidised medicine out of Australia for reasons other than personal use or the personal use of someone travelling with you eg. a child.
People who are found to be dealing with a PBS subsidised medicine in a way other than which it was meant risk a fine of up to $5,000 and/or two years imprisonment. There are also restrictions on the amount of PBS subsidised medicine you can take or send overseas.
Designated quantity
It is an offence to export more than the designated quantity of a PBS medicine. The maximum penalty for this offence is two years imprisonment. The designated quantity can be calculated using the formula set out in Section 103(4AC) of the National Health Act 1953
.
MQ x (RA + 1) x 2
where:
MQ is the quantity or number of units of that pharmaceutical benefit that is determined by the Minister, under paragraph 85A(2)(a) of the National Health Act 1953, to be the maximum quantity, or the maximum number of units, of that pharmaceutical benefit that may, in one prescription, be directed to be supplied on any one occasion; and
RA is the number (if any) that is determined by the Minister, under paragraph 85A(2)(b) of the National Health Act 1953, to be the maximum number of occasions on which the supply of the pharmaceutical benefit may, in one prescription, be directed to be repeated.
Taking or sending PBS subsidised medicine overseas
Medicare Australia is working with the Australian Customs Service (Customs) to stop PBS subsidised medicine being illegally exported overseas. If a Customs Officer is not satisfied that the medicine is for the personal use of the traveller or the personal use of a person travelling with them, the medicine may be detained.
To assist in preventing PBS medicine being illegally exported, Medicare Australia conducts an ongoing communication campaign to increase awareness with the general public. The key message is taking or sending PBS medicines overseas that are not for personal use or the personal use of someone travelling with you is illegal.
Medicare Australia has produced several information products about travelling overseas with PBS medicine, including an information sheet which is available in 17 languages.
Information Materials
ODD Resources
Standard letter - medication documentation
Available from this internet site is a standard letter which you use when providing information for customers explaining what the medicine is, how much they are carrying or sending, and that it is for personal use. Download the standard medicine explanation letter:
Order information materials for your customers
There is a selection of information material regarding Overseas Drug Diversion including brochures and posters, available for you to use with your customers. To order a copies of the material please use the following form.
Ordering material
Below is a list of available resource materials about taking or sending PBS medicine overseas.
You can order resource material about taking or sending PBS medicine overseas by faxing the Information materials reorder form or by emailing odd@medicareaustralia.gov.au
.
Available products
- Brochure for Consumers (DL)
- Mini Brochure (business card size)
- Poster A3
- Patient Travel letter
- Medicine Export Declaration [PDF, 192Kb]
- Information Sheets
- Available in 18 Languages - Choose Your Language
Contact details
Further information on taking or sending PBS medicine overseas can be obtained by calling the Travelling with PBS medicine enquiry line on 1800 500 147 or emailing odd@medicareaustralia.gov.au.
Travelling with PBS medicine enquiry line: 1800 500 147
Translating and Interpreting Service: 13 14 50
Email: odd@medicareaustralia.gov.au
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Last updated: 2 July, 2009