Date: 29 May 2026
The RACGP's submission to the Pharmacy Board of Australia responds to the proposed Registration Standard and Guidelines for Scheduled Medicines for Pharmacists. The proposal would enable suitably qualified pharmacists to obtain a registration-level endorsement to prescribe scheduled medicines.
The RACGP submission raises significant concerns about whether the proposed model includes sufficient safeguards to ensure patient safety across diverse practice settings. It highlights that primary care frequently involves diagnostic uncertainty, evolving presentations and the need for ongoing review, and contends that patient safety depends on robust systems that support these processes. The RACGP also cautions that the absence of adverse events in pilot programs should not be interpreted as evidence of safety, given that diagnostic harm is often delayed and difficult to detect, and notes the importance of strong governance frameworks and addressing potential conflicts of interest associated with pharmacist prescribing in retail pharmacy settings.
Visit the submission web page
Submission to the Pharmacy Board of Australia – Endorsement for Scheduled Medicines for Pharmacists