Changes for 60-day dispensing

Changes for 60-day dispensing of applicable medications will begin 01 September 2023.

Patients living with an ongoing health condition who are stable on their current treatment will be able to receive twice the medication for the cost of a single prescription. This will apply to more than 300 common medicines listed on the pharmaceutical benefits scheme (PBS) and will be implemented in 3 stages over 12 months.

The PBS changes for 60-day dispensing have been implemented in the September 2023 MIMS Update.

NOTE   Providers are required to manually assess patient eligibility for 60-day dispensing based on the criteria supplied by DOHAC, including stability on current medication for the ongoing health condition. The prescribing flow will not suggest or filter options based on eligibility for 60-day dispensing.

For more information on the changes, review the Department of Health and Aged Care 60-day information page.

Review the list of PBS medications and items codes available in the first stage here.

How do I prescribe a 60-day medication in Bp VIP.net?

An additional line item is available when selecting medications from the MIMS database that prescribers can select, for patients whom the prescriber deems eligible.

1. Go to Medical > Prescriptions (F9).
2. Select New.
3. Choose a medication from the MIMS database. The medications eligible for 60-day dispensing will have x2 next to the quantity in the item description.

TIP   A full list of the PBS medications and item codes available in the first stage can be found on the Australian Department of Aged Care website.



4. Select OK.
5. From the Prescription Item Details screen the Quantity will populate with x2.
6. The prescriber will need to manually enter an Interval period of 60 days.



7. Select OK to save and close when all necessary fields are completed.

What do I need to do?

Download and run the September 2023 MIMS Update when available. See Install and update MIMS for more information on how to run the update.

No other action is necessary to implement these changes.

Resources

• Department of Health and Aged Care 60-day information page.
• List of PBS medications and items codes available in the first stage.

Last modified: 5 September 2023