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Ordering medicines online can be convenient, but prescription medicines require additional care. If you are looking to order prescription medicine online Australia, it is important to understand prescription requirements, the pharmacy or supplier you are using, product information, and Australian medicine regulations.
This guide explains how the process generally works, what to check before placing an order, and how to identify important safety considerations when using an online prescription pharmacy.
Important: Prescription medicines should only be used when prescribed or recommended by an appropriately authorised healthcare professional. This article provides general information and is not a substitute for medical advice.
Yes, prescription medicines can be supplied through appropriate pharmacy services when the applicable prescription requirements are met.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) states that prescription medicines are prescription-only products that require a valid prescription from an authorised healthcare professional. Prescription medicines supplied in Australia are registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) and have an AUST R number.
This means ordering prescription medicine online is not simply a matter of selecting a product and completing payment. The appropriate prescription process needs to be followed.
The exact process can vary between pharmacies and healthcare services, but an online prescription medicine order generally involves several steps.
The first step is determining whether the medicine is appropriate for your health needs.
A doctor or other authorised healthcare professional can assess your condition, consider other medicines you take, and determine whether prescription treatment is appropriate.
Do not use an online pharmacy as a replacement for professional medical advice.
If prescription treatment is appropriate, you may need a valid prescription before the medicine can be supplied.
The prescription process depends on the medicine and the healthcare service involved.
A website that encourages customers to obtain prescription-only medicines without an appropriate prescription should be treated cautiously.
When researching an online prescription pharmacy, check who operates the website and where the medicine is being supplied from.
Look for clear business information, contact details, pharmacy information where applicable, prescription procedures, delivery information and customer support.
The TGA recommends buying health products from a trusted source such as an Australian registered pharmacy and warns consumers about unknown online sellers.
Before ordering, review the available product information.
Depending on the medicine, this may include:
Product name
Active ingredient
Strength
Dosage form
Pack size
Directions for use
Warnings and precautions
Storage requirements
Manufacturer or sponsor information
If the information is incomplete or unclear, ask a pharmacist or healthcare professional before using the medicine.
Before checkout, make sure you understand how the prescription will be verified and how the medicine will be supplied.
Also check:
Delivery options
Shipping costs
Estimated delivery time
Customer support
Returns or refund policies
Privacy information
Any applicable prescription requirements
A clear ordering process can help you understand what will happen after you submit your order.
Not every medicine requires a prescription.
Prescription medicines are medicines that require a prescription from an authorised healthcare professional. The TGA describes prescription medicines as registered medicines on the ARTG with an AUST R number.
Other medicines may be available without a prescription depending on their classification and the applicable Australian requirements.
Because medicine classifications can differ, do not assume that a product is available without a prescription simply because it is sold online.
Before using an online prescription pharmacy, consider the following checklist.
Can you clearly identify the business operating the website?
Look for appropriate contact and business information.
If the medicine is prescription-only, does the website explain how the prescription requirement is handled?
A seller offering prescription-only medicines without an appropriate prescription process is a significant warning sign. The TGA specifically advises consumers to be wary of online sellers offering prescription-only medicines without a prescription.
Can you identify the medicine, active ingredient, strength and relevant warnings?
Find out where the medicine is supplied or dispatched from.
A website may appear Australian while the actual supplier is located overseas. The TGA advises consumers to check online sellers carefully because some websites that appear Australian may actually be overseas.
Where applicable, check the medicine's Australian regulatory information.
The ARTG is the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods, which contains information about therapeutic goods that can legally be supplied in Australia, subject to applicable requirements.
The TGA also advises consumers to look for the appropriate AUST number on medicine packaging.
Extra care is required when purchasing prescription medication Australia consumers may be considering from an overseas website.
Products available through international websites may not be regulated by the TGA, and importing medicines can involve additional Australian requirements.
The TGA warns consumers about the risks of buying medicines from unknown overseas websites, including counterfeit products, incorrect amounts of active ingredients, contamination and undisclosed ingredients.
Prescription medicines imported into Australia can also be subject to specific requirements. The TGA states that prescription medicines must be imported with a prescription from an Australian doctor under the relevant arrangements.
If you are considering importing medicine, check the current TGA requirements before ordering.
The convenience of online shopping should not replace medicine safety.
Unknown or unreliable online sources may supply products that are counterfeit, incorrectly formulated, contaminated or contain undisclosed ingredients.
Other concerns can include:
Incorrect dosage or strength
Incorrect labelling
Interactions with other medicines
Products stored or transported incorrectly
Products that are not approved for supply in Australia
Difficulty obtaining support if something goes wrong
The TGA recommends speaking with a healthcare professional if you are unsure about a health product.
When your order arrives, compare the product with the information you expected.
Check:
Product name
Active ingredient
Strength
Quantity
Expiry date
Packaging condition
Manufacturer or sponsor details
Storage instructions
If the medicine looks different from what you expected, the packaging is damaged, or you have concerns about the product, do not assume it is safe to use. Speak with a pharmacist or healthcare professional.
Be particularly careful if a website:
Offers prescription-only medicines without an appropriate prescription process
Does not clearly identify the business
Provides little information about the product
Makes unrealistic medical claims
Promises guaranteed or instant results
Does not explain where products are supplied from
Encourages customers to avoid professional medical advice
Uses suspicious claims such as “for research purposes only” for products intended for human use
The TGA specifically advises consumers to be cautious of websites selling prescription-only medicines without prescriptions and websites that appear Australian but are actually located overseas.
Before ordering prescription medicine online Australia, ask:
1. Do I have an appropriate prescription?
Make sure the medicine is being supplied through the applicable prescription process.
2. Who is supplying the medicine?
Identify the business, pharmacy or supplier.
3. Is the product information clear?
Check the medicine name, active ingredient, strength and relevant warnings.
4. Where is the medicine being supplied from?
Check whether it is supplied locally or from overseas.
5. Can I verify the medicine?
Where applicable, check Australian regulatory information such as the ARTG and AUST number.
6. Are delivery details clear?
Review shipping costs, delivery information and customer support.
7. Do I need professional advice?
If you are unsure about the medicine, speak with a doctor or pharmacist before using it.
Yes, prescription medicines may be supplied through appropriate online pharmacy services when the applicable prescription requirements are met. Prescription medicines require a valid prescription from an authorised healthcare professional.
Prescription-only medicines require an appropriate prescription. An online pharmacy should not encourage customers to bypass prescription requirements.
Check who operates the website, its contact information, prescription procedures, product information, supply location and customer-support details. The TGA recommends buying medicines and other health products from trusted sources such as Australian registered pharmacies.
Additional rules may apply to medicines purchased from overseas. Products sold through international websites may not be regulated by the TGA, and some medicines have specific importation requirements. Check current TGA guidance before ordering.
An AUST R number identifies a registered medicine on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods. Prescription medicines are registered medicines with an AUST R number.
Do not assume that it is safe to use. Contact a pharmacist or healthcare professional and ask them to check the product.
Ordering prescription medicine online Australia can be convenient when the appropriate prescription and supply requirements are followed.
Before using an online prescription pharmacy, check the supplier, prescription process, product information, supply location and Australian regulatory information. If you are unsure about a medicine or its suitability, speak with a doctor or pharmacist.
For official information about medicines, therapeutic goods and Australian requirements, consult the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.
This article is for general educational and informational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendations.
Always follow the advice of your doctor, pharmacist or another qualified healthcare professional. Do not start, stop or change prescription medication without appropriate professional advice.
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