Repeat Prescriptions in Australia

Repeat prescriptions allow you to get additional supplies of your medication without seeing a doctor each time. Understanding how they work helps you manage your medications effectively.

How Repeats Work

When a doctor prescribes medication, they can authorise a certain number of repeats. Each repeat allows you to get one more supply of the medication from the pharmacy.

• Original prescription = first supply
• Each repeat = one additional supply
• You collect repeats from the pharmacy when needed
• Repeats have an expiry date (usually 12 months from original prescription)

How Many Repeats Can You Get?

The number of repeats depends on the medication and your condition:

• Some medications: no repeats allowed
• Short-term treatments: 0-2 repeats typical
• Ongoing conditions: up to 5 repeats common
• PBS medications have specific repeat limits
• Controlled medications have stricter limits

When Repeats Run Out

When you've used all your repeats, you'll need a new prescription. Options include:

• See your regular GP
• Use a telehealth service for eligible medications
• Some pharmacists can provide emergency supplies in certain situations

Checking Your Repeats

• Check the "repeats remaining" on your eScript SMS
• Ask your pharmacist when you collect medication
• Check your Active Script List through MyGov (if set up)
• Your pharmacy may send reminders

Expired Prescriptions

Prescriptions and their repeats typically expire 12 months from the date they were written. After this, you'll need a new prescription, even if you had repeats remaining.