Prescription Shopping Program frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What is prescription shopping?
Prescription shopping is when patients unknowingly or deliberately obtain more medicine than medically needed. This is often done by visiting many doctors, without telling them about their other consultations.
What are the usual reasons for seeking medicines in excess of medical need?
- Stockpiling for later use
- Satisfying a drug dependency
- Selling, exchanging or giving medicines to relatives
- For illegal export
How do I get Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) information about my patient?
If you suspect a patient of getting more medicine than they need, you can call the Prescription Shopping Information Service (PSIS) on 1800 631 181*
The PSIS operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week so you can call before, during or after a consultation.
If your patient has been identified by the Prescription Shopping Program (PSP), you may also receive a letter and a Patient Summary Report detailing the type and amount of PBS medicine supplied to that patient in the last three months.
Can all health professionals access the PSIS?
Only health professionals who have a prescriber number have the authority to access the PSIS.
When I call the PSIS, how will Medicare know who I am or who I say I am?
To verify your identity, the operator will ask you to provide the following information.
- Your prescriber number
- Your full name
- An answer to a personal validation question
- Patient's Medicare number, date of birth and full name
Staff or delegates in your practice cannot access the PSIS on your behalf.
Do I need to fill out a registration form to use the PSIS?
If you are not already registered for the PSIS, complete and sign the Registration Form and fax it to (02) 6124 7820*.
Registration will be confirmed by fax within two business days.
Do I need my patient's consent before I call?
No. Special legislative provisions are in place to allow prescribers to obtain PBS information from the PSIS without a patient’s consent.
What type of information can I get?
When you phone the PSIS, you will be advised if your patient has met the PSP criteria. If your patient has been identified you can find out the number of PBS medicines supplied to your patient and the number of different prescribers who have prescribed for them.
The number of prescribers is not the number of times a patient has visited a prescriber but the number of individual prescribers identified on medicines supplied by pharmacies during the identified period. The number of medicines supplied may include repeat prescriptions or prescriptions issued within a 12 month period.
The PSIS works on data that is accurate up to the last 48 hours.
You can request the PBS Patient Summary Report for the identified patient be sent to you if you would like more detailed information.
If my patient is identified by the PSP can I still prescribe?
Yes. The PSIS aims to provide you with information to help you with prescribing decisions.
If your patient has met the criteria for a three month period, that may not mean they are prescription shopping. We report on individual prescribing habits and cannot group together PBS medicines prescribed from all of the health professionals in your practice. It is recommended you assess the Patient Summary Report with your own records to determine what may have been prescribed from your practice.
How can I access the PBS Patient Summary Report?
There are three ways you can access information.
1. Get a summary of the Patient Summary Report over the phone, to assist with your prescribing decision.
2. If you have access to Health Professional Online Services (HPOS), get a report online (within five minutes of making the call to the Information Service).
3. The operator can arrange for a PBS Patient Summary Report to be faxed to you (generally on the same business day the call was made), or you can have the report mailed to you.
Reports can only be made available if your patient meets the program criteria.
How can I access the PBS Patient Summary Report Online?
To get a PBS Patient Summary Report through HPOS you will need a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) individual certificate to access the secure site.
For more information about HPOS or to register for PKI go to HPOS.
What does the PBS Patient Summary Report look like?
View a copy of the PBS Patient Summary Report.
Can a patient access their own PBS information?
Patients who want to receive their own PBS information must send a request in writing to:
NSW, ACT and VIC residents
Information Release
Medicare
GPO Box 9822
Sydney NSW 2001
QLD, NT, TAS, SA and WA
Information Release
Medicare
GPO Box 9822
Brisbane QLD 4001
Can another prescriber get information about my patient through the PSIS?
Yes, but only if the patient is also a patient of that prescriber and the patient has been identified under the PSP.
Can I get information about another prescriber's patient?
Only if the patient is also your patient and they have been identified under the PSP.
Can another prescriber get information about me or my prescribing through the PSIS?
No. Prescriber names are not included on the PBS Patient Summary Reports.
Can I find out if other prescribers have prescribed for my patient?
Yes. The PSIS can tell you the number of prescribers identified on prescriptions supplied to your patient for a recent three month period. This may include repeat prescriptions.
Will the information include all medicine prescribed for or taken by my patient?
No. It only includes PBS information.
Is there a way of getting PBS information about a patient who does not meet the PSP’s criteria?
Yes, but only if your patient authorises the release of personal Medicare or PBS information to a third party by completing the Authority to release personal Medicare and Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme claims information to a third party form.
Information can only be released for the dates authorised on the form and the authority will remain valid for 12 months from the date signed by your patient unless the authority is withdrawn.
How can Medicare guarantee the information is about my patient and not someone else?
The patient's details are verified when you call. Thorough checks are made to make sure the correct information is provided to you.
What hours does the PSIS operate?
The PSIS operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Can Medicare investigate further if the patient I called the PSIS about has not been identified and I have some concerns about that patient?
Medicare will record your request and forward it on for investigation and decide if further action is needed.
To report a patient you suspect is seeking more medicine than they need, call the PSIS on 1800 631 181*.
Do pharmacists have access to the PSIS?
No. The PSIS is not currently available to pharmacists.
*Call charges apply
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Last updated: 13 October, 2011