Taking and sending PBS medicines overseas
PBS medicine overseas
It is illegal to take or send PBS medicines out of Australia for reasons other than for personal use or the personal use of someone travelling with you, for example a child.
PBS medicines are sometimes taken or sent from Australia for re-sale or for relatives and friends overseas who may not be able to get these medicines in their home country. Such activity is illegal and has potential health implications.
Legal issues
Under the National Health Act 1953 taking or sending PBS medicines out of Australia that is not for your personal use or the personal use of someone travelling with you is illegal.
There are specific recommendations for taking and sending PBS medicine overseas.
People who are found to be dealing with a PBS medicines in a way other than which it was intended risk a fine of up to $5000 and/or two years imprisonment. There are also restrictions on the amount of PBS medicines you can take or send overseas. Possessing or attempting to export more than the designated quantity may result in a two year gaol term.
It is also illegal for a pharmacist to supply a PBS medicine for a person they have reason to believe is not in Australia at the time of supply.
Travelling overseas with PBS medicine
If you are planning a trip overseas, organising your medicine is one of the most important things you can do. If you require prescription medicine, it is important you have this medicine with you so you remain in good health while you are away.
Taking or sending PBS medicines out of Australia that is not for your own personal use or the personal use of someone travelling from Australia with you is illegal.
Taking PBS medicines overseas
Travellers taking PBS medicines overseas are advised to check they are not carrying a substance that is considered illegal in their country of destination. Travellers should contact relevant embassies before leaving Australia.
If you are planning to take PBS medicines overseas for your own personal use or the personal use of someone travelling with you, you should:
- contact the embassy of the country you are visiting to ensure the medicine is legal there;
- carry or enclose a letter from your doctor detailing what the medicine is, how much you will be taking and stating that the medicine is for your personal use
- leave the medicine in its original packaging.
There are also restrictions on the amount of PBS medicines you can take overseas. It is advisable to check with your doctor before you travel.
Customs may detain any medicine it suspects is being illegally exported. It is in your best interest to provide documentation explaining what the medicine is, how much you are carrying, and that it is for your personal use.
If you are unable to get a letter from your doctor, Medicare Australia's Medicine Export Declaration may be sufficient to satisfy Customs that the medicine is for your personal use. People found to be illegally exporting PBS medicines overseas may be prosecuted.
Sending PBS medicines overseas
The legislation allows for you to send PBS medicines overseas for your own personal use, or the use of someone who will be travelling with you, in such instances as when you will be travelling via a country in which the medicine is illegal, or when you would need to carry a large amount. PBS medicine may not be sent overseas for the use of anybody other than the sender.
If you are planning to send PBS medicines overseas for your own personal use while overseas, or for the personal use of someone travelling with you, you should:
- contact the embassy of the country you are visiting to ensure the medicine is legal there
- enclose a letter from your doctor with the medicine detailing what the medicine is, how much you will be taking or sending and stating that the medicine is for your personal use
- leave the medicine in its original packaging
- attach to your parcel a completed Customs declaration available from any post office, disclosing that the package contains prescription medicine that is for your personal use.
There are also restrictions on the amount of PBS medicine you can send overseas. It is advisable to check with your doctor before you travel.
Customs may detain any medicine it suspects is being illegally exported. It is in your best interest to provide documentation explaining what the medicine is, how much you are sending, and that it is for your personal use.
If you are unable to get a letter from your doctor, Medicare Australia's Medicine Export Declaration may be sufficient to satisfy Customs that the medicine is for your personal use. People found to be illegally exporting PBS medicine overseas may be prosecuted.
Prohibited exports
PBS medicines may be a prohibited export under the Customs (Prohibited Export) Regulations. Some prohibited exports are not legally able to leave Australia unless they are physically taken by the person travelling. If a medicine that is a prohibited export needs to be sent, written approval from the Department of Health and Ageing is required.
For more information call the Australian Customs Service on 1300 363 263 or emailing information@customs.gov.au
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Once you are overseas
As you may not be able to get your medicine overseas, it is advisable check with your doctor to ensure you have an adequate supply for your trip, minding that you do not exceed the limit of PBS medicine you are allowed to take overseas.
If your trip has been extended and you need additional medicine while you are overseas you have two options available.
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Contact and consult your medical practitioner in Australia, and if appropriate, get a non-PBS prescription for the medicine. This non-subsidised prescription medicine can be supplied by a pharmacist in Australia and arranged to be packaged and delivered.
If this course of action is undertaken, it is suggested you contact:
- the Australian Customs Service before the medicine is sent or taken overseas to ensure the medicine is not a prohibited export and may be legally exported
- the embassy of the country the medicine is being sent to, to ensure that the medicine can be legally imported into that country.
- Consult a medical practitioner in the overseas destination and get medicines in that country. The Australian Government has reciprocal health care agreements with certain countries to enable access to health care.
PBS access—Australian Government officers working overseas
Access to PBS medicines has been extended to include Australian Government officers working overseas.
For more information go to the Department of Health and Ageing website
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Last updated: 7 April, 2010
