I'm new here, I stumbled across this site while searching online for info about the above mentioned issue because apparently there is some new federal program that allows all scripts from all states to be filled in any state and it started about 6 weeks ago.
So I thought I would share my story so others can be aware and protect themselves against what just happened to me.
I take strong S8 pain relief, given on regular authority scripts, I have travelled from Qld to Tassie many times but always to the same area so I found myself a Tassie doctor to prescribe if I ever needed my scripts while away, although he could never give me authority scripts he was happy to give normal script.
Sadly, I need to travel to Tassie again (right now due to family members very ill health) but to a totally different part of the state, so can't see the normal Tassie doctor that I see.
I go see my local normal GP, he gives me post dated single script (this will allow for enough medication for my trip) and tells me I can get it filled down there when due, I told him I could not as we have tried that before. I could not get my authority as it is not due as yet but will be while I'm away, this is why he gave me normal script, just to cover me while away.
I left with this script in hand and wondering what the hell I was going to do, doc rings an hour later and tells me he rang the chemist next door and was told about this new program where Australia wide any script can be filled from any state and it's only been in for about 6 weeks and if the chemist I go to in Tassie does not know about it, tell them about it or ask them to ring him.
My gut did not set well this, so I found all the contact info of local chemists of the area I will be and phoned them all to ensure they would fill my script.
They all no!!!!
Only 1 chemist knew about this new program but said regardless of new program it is not law and they have the right to refuse and they do because it's safer that way.
All the other chemists I rang simply said they would not do it and 2 of them said that even if I had script from local doctor that because I was an interstate person, they would not fill script for S8 medication due to the dangers.
I then sat and though "what do I do then" and decided to ring local doctors in said area and asked if their doctors are happy to see interstate patients with letter from current GP.
I was told no by all surgeries I telephoned, I asked why and was told that they had been caught before with "fake" letters and because it takes up so much time to try and ring other doctors etc they have simply said no more.
I was so angry, shocked and heartbroken, heart broken because I could not risk arriving in Tassie to find I can not get my medications all because a pharmacist wishes to play God with my health and refuse me medication I have been on for many years.
I had to postpone my trip as it's not something I can risk and now I have to go back to my GP tomorrow and try and get him to understand all this mess too.
Even when I first went to the other Tassie doctor (in the normal area I visit when down there) I had 2 chemists refuse to fill his script, even though he was local but it was because I'm not local is the reason why apparently. I am just lucky that I found 1 chemist who filled it but it was like pulling teeth to get them to do so and I left feeling like some interstate junkie because of the treatment I did receive.
So it is boiling down to it doesn't matter what new programs are bought into play to try and help people like us wanting to explore our beautiful country, at the end of the day, the Pharmacist still gets the final say if you can have your scripts filled or not.
The other issues is because of the type of medication, it is not in my best interest to go and see a million doctors for a script because that will cause eyebrows to be raised, so it seems I am now caught between a rock and a hard place.
I have not traveled to any other state (yet) and required my medication while being there, Tassie is the only state so far and it's turning out to be the strictest and hardest place to go and have to need medication while there apparently.
As I said, just wanted to warn you all of what I have just been through the last few days.
I saw quite a few threads regarding this issue, that is why I thought I would make this thread as it's very recent information and recent situation.
PS, I can not recall the correct name of this new program sorry but if anybody else knows it's true name then please let me/us know. I know it had the word National in it and that's all I recall.
Happywanderer said
03:18 PM Aug 1, 2016
I don't understand this. I have taken Victorian scripts and had them filled in Qld, WA and NSW without difficulty. Never been questioned. In fact I'm still doing it now in Qld.
KFT said
05:33 PM Aug 1, 2016
Happywanderer wrote:
I don't understand this. I have taken Victorian scripts and had them filled in Qld, WA and NSW without difficulty. Never been questioned. In fact I'm still doing it now in Qld.
But are they "S8" scripts?
S8 meds are very strictly controlled
Frank
Happywanderer said
06:11 PM Aug 1, 2016
KFT wrote:
Happywanderer wrote:
I don't understand this. I have taken Victorian scripts and had them filled in Qld, WA and NSW without difficulty. Never been questioned. In fact I'm still doing it now in Qld.
But are they "S8" scripts?
S8 meds are very strictly controlled
Frank
Normal scripts Frank. Thought it was covering all as have read it on here before with queries. My mistake. Put it down to chemo brain.
KFT said
06:26 PM Aug 1, 2016
No worries Marj
that was why I asked
-- Edited by KFT on Monday 1st of August 2016 06:26:52 PM
jules47 said
07:33 PM Aug 1, 2016
Have a friend who is on S8 medications, and she had problems when interstate (she is from Victoria) her local chemist holds these scripts, and issues them to her when they are due to her. At one stage, the chemist, who is part of a large chain, actually mailed the medications to another chemist in the same chain, and she could pick them up there.
When she tried to do this at a different chemist (not part of the same chain) - the chemist at either end would not allow her to do it. The one in Melbourne did, however, allow her daughter to pick up the medication, and she express posted it to her mum - now that is a ridiculous situation, I think.
I don't know what the answer is to your dilemma shazzy - but hope it can be sorted out for you.
jules47 said
07:34 PM Aug 1, 2016
Have a friend who is on S8 medications, and she had problems when interstate (she is from Victoria) her local chemist holds these scripts, and issues them to her when they are due to her. At one stage, the chemist, who is part of a large chain, actually mailed the medications to another chemist in the same chain, and she could pick them up there.
When she tried to do this at a different chemist (not part of the same chain) - the chemist at either end would not allow her to do it. The one in Melbourne did, however, allow her daughter to pick up the medication, and she express posted it to her mum - now that is a ridiculous situation, I think.
I don't know what the answer is to your dilemma shazzy - but hope it can be sorted out for you.
jules47 said
07:36 PM Aug 1, 2016
Sorry for the double up!!!
Shazzi said
08:32 PM Aug 1, 2016
Thanks Jules, I'm not sure yet either but hopefully the doctor and I can sort it tomorrow.
Yes, the big issue what type of scripts they are, if they were "normal" scripts then I don't think there would be a problem but it seems that because I have to take a S8 medication, I must be a low life junkie or something and this entitles chemists/doctors to treat me (and many others from what I have read) as second class citizens.
It's a very frustrating situation indeed and is only adding to my stress levels at present, I just want to be with my family who need me at present and it's just crazy that a medication can prevent me from doing so.
It's at times like this that I wish to be off all my medications and have hassle free travel but sadly, my body does not agree with this head thought.
Thanks for the opinions everyone, nice to know what others have experienced or think about all this mess.
Possum3 said
05:08 PM Aug 2, 2016
Don't try and line up the pharmacists, you will need to line up a Doctor
You will need to have the S8 prescriptions written by a local doctor in the area you are visiting.
Craig1 said
04:10 PM Aug 7, 2016
You could also try writing to Ms Susan Ley, who is our National Health Minister. She also my local Member and always responds to my emails. cheers and good luck Craig
Hi everyone,
I'm new here, I stumbled across this site while searching online for info about the above mentioned issue because apparently there is some new federal program that allows all scripts from all states to be filled in any state and it started about 6 weeks ago.
So I thought I would share my story so others can be aware and protect themselves against what just happened to me.
I take strong S8 pain relief, given on regular authority scripts, I have travelled from Qld to Tassie many times but always to the same area so I found myself a Tassie doctor to prescribe if I ever needed my scripts while away, although he could never give me authority scripts he was happy to give normal script.
Sadly, I need to travel to Tassie again (right now due to family members very ill health) but to a totally different part of the state, so can't see the normal Tassie doctor that I see.
I go see my local normal GP, he gives me post dated single script (this will allow for enough medication for my trip) and tells me I can get it filled down there when due, I told him I could not as we have tried that before. I could not get my authority as it is not due as yet but will be while I'm away, this is why he gave me normal script, just to cover me while away.
I left with this script in hand and wondering what the hell I was going to do, doc rings an hour later and tells me he rang the chemist next door and was told about this new program where Australia wide any script can be filled from any state and it's only been in for about 6 weeks and if the chemist I go to in Tassie does not know about it, tell them about it or ask them to ring him.
My gut did not set well this, so I found all the contact info of local chemists of the area I will be and phoned them all to ensure they would fill my script.
They all no!!!!
Only 1 chemist knew about this new program but said regardless of new program it is not law and they have the right to refuse and they do because it's safer that way.
All the other chemists I rang simply said they would not do it and 2 of them said that even if I had script from local doctor that because I was an interstate person, they would not fill script for S8 medication due to the dangers.
I then sat and though "what do I do then" and decided to ring local doctors in said area and asked if their doctors are happy to see interstate patients with letter from current GP.
I was told no by all surgeries I telephoned, I asked why and was told that they had been caught before with "fake" letters and because it takes up so much time to try and ring other doctors etc they have simply said no more.
I was so angry, shocked and heartbroken, heart broken because I could not risk arriving in Tassie to find I can not get my medications all because a pharmacist wishes to play God with my health and refuse me medication I have been on for many years.
I had to postpone my trip as it's not something I can risk and now I have to go back to my GP tomorrow and try and get him to understand all this mess too.
Even when I first went to the other Tassie doctor (in the normal area I visit when down there) I had 2 chemists refuse to fill his script, even though he was local but it was because I'm not local is the reason why apparently. I am just lucky that I found 1 chemist who filled it but it was like pulling teeth to get them to do so and I left feeling like some interstate junkie because of the treatment I did receive.
So it is boiling down to it doesn't matter what new programs are bought into play to try and help people like us wanting to explore our beautiful country, at the end of the day, the Pharmacist still gets the final say if you can have your scripts filled or not.
The other issues is because of the type of medication, it is not in my best interest to go and see a million doctors for a script because that will cause eyebrows to be raised, so it seems I am now caught between a rock and a hard place.
I have not traveled to any other state (yet) and required my medication while being there, Tassie is the only state so far and it's turning out to be the strictest and hardest place to go and have to need medication while there apparently.
As I said, just wanted to warn you all of what I have just been through the last few days.
I saw quite a few threads regarding this issue, that is why I thought I would make this thread as it's very recent information and recent situation.
PS, I can not recall the correct name of this new program sorry but if anybody else knows it's true name then please let me/us know. I know it had the word National in it and that's all I recall.
But are they "S8" scripts?
S8 meds are very strictly controlled
Frank
Normal scripts Frank. Thought it was covering all as have read it on here before with queries. My mistake. Put it down to chemo brain.
No worries Marj
that was why I asked
-- Edited by KFT on Monday 1st of August 2016 06:26:52 PM
When she tried to do this at a different chemist (not part of the same chain) - the chemist at either end would not allow her to do it. The one in Melbourne did, however, allow her daughter to pick up the medication, and she express posted it to her mum - now that is a ridiculous situation, I think.
I don't know what the answer is to your dilemma shazzy - but hope it can be sorted out for you.
Have a friend who is on S8 medications, and she had problems when interstate (she is from Victoria) her local chemist holds these scripts, and issues them to her when they are due to her. At one stage, the chemist, who is part of a large chain, actually mailed the medications to another chemist in the same chain, and she could pick them up there.
When she tried to do this at a different chemist (not part of the same chain) - the chemist at either end would not allow her to do it. The one in Melbourne did, however, allow her daughter to pick up the medication, and she express posted it to her mum - now that is a ridiculous situation, I think.
I don't know what the answer is to your dilemma shazzy - but hope it can be sorted out for you.
Yes, the big issue what type of scripts they are, if they were "normal" scripts then I don't think there would be a problem but it seems that because I have to take a S8 medication, I must be a low life junkie or something and this entitles chemists/doctors to treat me (and many others from what I have read) as second class citizens.
It's a very frustrating situation indeed and is only adding to my stress levels at present, I just want to be with my family who need me at present and it's just crazy that a medication can prevent me from doing so.
It's at times like this that I wish to be off all my medications and have hassle free travel but sadly, my body does not agree with this head thought.
Thanks for the opinions everyone, nice to know what others have experienced or think about all this mess.
Find out if your Healthcare Provider is My Health Record-ready on the National Health Services Directory
myhealthrecord.gov.au/internet/mhr/publishing.nsf/content/home
You will need to have the S8 prescriptions written by a local doctor in the area you are visiting.