You will need approval if you intend to prescribe a controlled medicine to a patient. Controlled medicines include:
- opioids
- benzodiazepines
- barbiturates
- amphetamines
- methyl phenidate
- growth hormones
- all other schedule 5 and 8 medicines
- remedies for alcoholic, drug and tobacco habits.
There are two types of approvals that are available:
- category approval - an authorisation to prescribe medicines within a therapuetic class up to a maximum dose to treat a certain condition
- approval by drug - an authorisation to prescribe a particular dose, form, strength and quantity of medicine for the medical condition of a person.
