Practical health guide
How electronic prescriptions work in Australia
An electronic prescription is a digital alternative to a paper prescription. It changes delivery, not the clinical assessment required before a medicine is prescribed.
Prescribing is a clinical decision
Booking a consultation does not guarantee a prescription or refill. The doctor considers the condition, medicine, dose, allergies, interactions, monitoring, pregnancy risk and whether telehealth provides enough information.
Some medicines cannot be prescribed through this service, and some situations require examination, pathology, specialist input or review by the clinician who usually manages the medicine.
Receiving an electronic prescription token
If a medicine is prescribed electronically, a unique token is generally sent by SMS or email. Each medicine usually has its own token. Confirm that your mobile number and email address are correct and check that the message arrives before the consultation ends.
The token is a key that allows a pharmacy to retrieve the prescription securely. Keep it private and do not post or forward it publicly.
Using the token at a pharmacy
Show the token on your device to a participating pharmacy, or forward it to the pharmacy if they provide an ordering or delivery service. The pharmacist scans it to retrieve the prescription and dispense the medicine when appropriate.
Most community pharmacies can process electronic prescriptions, but availability should be checked directly. A trusted person may be able to collect medicine using a token you have shared with them.
Repeats and replacement tokens
After a medicine with repeats is dispensed, the pharmacy normally sends a new token for the next repeat. The old token cannot be reused. Keep the newest token and check that your contact details remain accurate.
If an original token is lost or deleted, contact the prescriber about resending it. For a repeat token, contact the pharmacy that issued that repeat. Do not request a new prescription solely because a token has been misplaced.
Identification and follow-up
Electronic prescribing may require sufficient identity information, including Medicare or an Individual Healthcare Identifier in some circumstances. If the doctor cannot safely verify information or monitoring, another pathway may be required.
Confirm how ongoing monitoring, pathology and future reviews will occur. An electronic token is not a substitute for medicine counselling, follow-up or urgent care when symptoms change.
Dr Dong Zhao
A doctor’s perspective
The electronic token changes how a prescription reaches you, not the clinical threshold for prescribing. A useful consultation still covers the indication, previous response, allergies, other medicines, monitoring and whether the requested medicine remains appropriate.
Common questions
Is a token the medicine itself?
No. It gives the pharmacy secure access to the electronic prescription for dispensing.
Can I use the same repeat token twice?
No. After dispensing, a new token is normally issued for the next repeat.
Are electronic and paper prescriptions assessed differently?
No. The doctor must make the same clinically appropriate prescribing decision regardless of delivery format.
Clinical review
Reviewed by Dr Dong Zhao
Australian-registered Medical Doctor · Content reviewed 7 October 2026
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