Prescriptions: A-C | D-E | F-G | H-L | M-N | O-R | S-T | U-V | W-Z

At Alchemy Direct we aim to professionally provide care for all your health and wellbeing needs.  When submitting prescriptions for us to dispense it is compulsory that you fill out a ‘Prescription Order Form ’ UNLESS you are already a customer of Alchemy Pharmacy and we already have your prescriptions on file.  If this is the case simply select the prescription items you require and proceed to the checkout.  If you are a new customer this form requests personal information required to complete the dispensing procedure as well as requiring medication and health history so we can assess any potential drug interactions, allergies or other health risks.  Only the most commonly dispensed prescription items are listed in this section.  If your prescription item does not appear please contact us by phone on 1300 886 891 or email This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it and we will quote the prescription cost.  Payment for such items can then be made by credit card over the phone or cash payment on delivery for postcodes 4000 or 4004.  All medications not listed on the site will b supplied with a full consumer medication information brochure, however our pharmacists can also be contacted by phone or email if further information is required.

Restrictions

We are only able to dispense prescriptions written in Australia by an Australian doctor.  We cannot accept international prescriptions.  We require the prescription prior to dispensing.  It is illegal to send any NHS/PBS prescription medications out of Australia even if you are an Australian citizen.  All prescription medications being sent out of Australia must be paid using private pricing.  Please note that any prescription item that requires refrigeration will only be dispensed for delivery in the 4000 or 4004 postcode locations.  We will also not dispense any Dangerous Drug (S8) prescriptions via Alchemy Direct but you are more than welcome to come into Alchemy Pharmacy and obtain such medication in person.  Alchemy Direct reserves the right to refuse supply of any goods that may contravene our professional obligations.  Prescriptions must be received prior to dispensing and due to government regulations cannot be faxed or emailed. 

The National Health Scheme (NHS) and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in Australia result in different prices being charged depending on an individual’s entitlements.   All prescription medications are listed with eight price variable which are as follows:

1.  NHS

This is the price for medication covered by the Australian National Health Scheme which are subsidised by the government.  These prices are set by the government and under current legislation cannot be discounted.  Prescription record form records will be issued with every dispensing and Safety Net totals will be maintained for every patient.  You must have a valid medicare card to qualify for NHS prescription pricing.  If this field is blank the medication is only available as a private prescription. 

2.  NHS Generic

Select this option if you would prefer the less expensive brand equivalent.  This option is only available if your doctor has NOT ticked the ‘Brand substitution not permitted’ box on your prescription.  Generic equivalents are most likely to be Australian made and are bio-equivalent to the brand.  Generic brands we stock include Arrow & Alphapharm.  If there is no generic equivalent available this field will be blank.
IMPORTANT:  A photocopy of your medicare card is required with your first order.

3.  Private

Prescription medications which are not covered by the National Health Scheme are called private prescriptions and the patient pays full private price.  A Prescription Record form cannot be issued but a full receipt will be supplied which may be submitted to your private health fund.

4.  Private Generic

Select this option if you would prefer the less expensive brand equivalent.  This option is only available if your doctor has NOT ticked the ‘Brand substitution not permitted’ box on your prescription.  Generic equivalents are most likely to be Australian made and are bio-equivalent to the brand.  Generic brands we stock include Arrow & Alphapharm.  If there is no generic equivalent available this field will be blank.

5.  Concession

(Pensioners, Concession cardholders, Veteran Affairs cardholders & CN cards)

If you are one of these cardholders you are entitled to a higher government subsidy for medication covered by the National Health Scheme.  Government surcharges may be charged for more expensive medications but these can be avoided by selecting a Concession Generic equivalent.  If this field is blank, the medication is only available as a private prescription.
IMPORTANT:  A photocopy of your medicare and concession card is required with your first order.

6.  Concession Generic

Select this option if you have a concession card and would prefer the less expensive brand equivalent.  This option is only available if your doctor has NOT ticked the ‘Brand substitution not permitted’ box on your prescription.  Generic equivalents are most likely to be Australian made and are bio-equivalent to the brand.  Generic brands we stock include Arrow & Alphapharm.  If there is no generic equivalent available this field will be blank.
IMPORTANT:  A photocopy of your medicare and concession card is required with your first order.

7.  Safety Net

If you have a current safety net concession card you are entitled to a higher government subsidy for medication covered by the National Health Scheme.  Government surcharges may be charged for more expensive medications but these can be avoided by selecting a Concession Generic equivalent.  If this field is blank, the medication is only available as a private prescription.
IMPORTANT:  A photocopy of your medicare and safety net entitlement card is required with your first order.

8.  Safety Net Generic

Select this option if you have a safety net concession card and would prefer the less expensive brand equivalent.  This option is only available if your doctor has NOT ticked the ‘Brand substitution not permitted’ box on your prescription.  Generic equivalents are most likely to be Australian made and are bio-equivalent to the brand.  Generic brands we stock include Arrow & Alphapharm.  If there is no generic equivalent available this field will be blank.
IMPORTANT:  A photocopy of your medicare and safety net entitlement card is required with your first order.

Repeats

Let us know if you would like to keep your prescriptions on file at our pharmacy for you.  Then when you need a repeat prescription filled simply email, phone or fax us and we will deliver!
Benefits include:

• No waiting – we can deliver or have the prescription ready for you at our pharmacy.
• We will remind you by email when you fill your last prescription so you can arrange for a new prescription.
• Accurate recording of spending and safety net so we can issue you a tax record or prescription record card on demand. We will also be able to keep a tally of prescriptions so if and when you reach the Safety Net threshold we can issue a Safety Net card for you which results in medications being cheaper or FREE for the remainder of the calendar year.
• All your dispensed medication history will be recorded with us  which allows for accurate and comprehensive checking for drug interactions or other potential adverse effects.

Safety Net

A Safety Net threshold have been implemented by the National Health Scheme to ensure that families requiring a large quantity of medication over a calendar year are not excessively financially burdened.  Once the threshold has been reached your NHS/PBS medications will be less expensive or free for the rest of the calendar year.

To be eligible for the Safety Net you need to keep a record of your NHS/PBS medication on a prescription record form (PRF).  At Alchemy Direct we will keep computer records of all NHS prescriptions dispensed by us for Safety Net purposes however, if you visit another pharmacy or hospital you should keep your own prescription record form as individual pharmacies are not linked.  For Safety Net purposes your family includes spouse or defacto spouse, children under 16 in your care and dependent full-time students under 25.

The 2009 safety net threshold for concession patients is $318.00 which represents 60 NHS/PBS prescriptions supplied at the 2009 concession patient contribution rate of $5.30. For general patients the Safety Net threshold is $1264.90.

The following charges do not count towards the Safety Net and are not recorded on the PRF:

• if you choose a more expensive brand of medication, or if your doctor prescribes one, the extra amount you pay will not count towards your Safety Net threshold.
• early resupply of some medications within 20 days of a previous supply means that the cost will not count towards your Safety Net threshold.

If you have any further queries on Safety Net please contact us via email This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or phone us on 1300 886 891.

If you require any further information about the Australian NHS/PBS call the PBS information line on 1800 020 613 or visit www.medicareaustralia.gov.au