Pharmacists
How can you help your customers
As a pharmacist you can help your customers by passing on the following information:
If your customer is travelling overseas, you should advise them that it is illegal to take or send PBS subsidised medicine out of Australia unless it is for their own personal use, or the personal use of someone travelling from Australia with them.
Taking PBS subsidised medicine overseas
If a customer is planning to take PBS subsidised medicine overseas for their personal use or the personal use of someone travelling from Australia with them, they should:
- contact the embassy of the country they are visiting to ensure the medicine is legal there;
- carry or enclose a letter from their doctor detailing what the medicine is, how much they will be taking and stating that the medicine is for their personal use; and
- leave the medicine in its original packaging.
Sending PBS subsidised medicine overseas
If a customer is planning to send PBS subsidised medicine overseas for their personal use while overseas, or for the personal use of someone travelling from Australia with them, they should:
- contact the embassy of the country they are visiting to ensure the medicine is legal there;
- enclose with the medicine a letter from their doctor detailing what the medicine is, how much they will be sending and stating that the medicine is for their personal use;
- leave the medicine in its original packaging; and
- attach to their parcel a completed Customs declaration available from any post office, disclosing that the package contains prescription medicine that is for personal use.
Taking or sending non-PBS medicine overseas
Provided they are not prohibited exports, medicines that have not been subsidised by the PBS may be taken or sent overseas.
Where taking or sending non-PBS medicine overseas, a person should still
- contact the embassy of the destination country to ensure the medicine is legal there;
- carry or enclose with the medicine the following documentation:
- for non-PBS prescription medicine, a letter from you stating the medicine has not been subsidised
- for non-prescription medicine, the Medicine Export Declaration [PDF, 192Kb]
- leave the medicine in its original packaging; and
- if sending, attach to their parcel a completed Customs declaration available from any post office, disclosing that the package contains medicine that has not been subsidised by the PBS.
What you should know as a pharmacist
Section 86A of the National Health Act 1953, states that it is illegal for an approved supplier to supply a PBS medicine for a person who they have reason to believe is not in Australia at the time of supply. Approved suppliers who do so are not entitled to payment by the Australian Government for that supply.
The National Health Act 1953 places a restriction on the quantity of PBS medicine that can be exported for personal use. The designated quantity can be calculated using the formula set out in section 103(4AZ) of the National Health Act 1953.
Further information
Medicare Australia conducts an ongoing communication campaign to increase awareness with the general public and Health Professionals. The key message is taking or sending PBS medicine overseas that is not for personal use or the personal use of someone travelling from Australia with you is illegal.
Medicare Australia has produced several information products, including an information sheet which is available in 17 languages. You can order resource material about taking or sending PBS medicine overseas by completing the Information materials reorder form [PDF, 37Kb] or emailing odd@medicareaustralia.gov.au
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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.
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Last updated: 16 August, 2011