Drug Scheduling

Schedule 4 (S4) – These drugs are only obtainable from a pharmacist and require a prescription.

Schedule 8 (S8) – These are drugs of addiction and are controlled to reduce abuse. There are specific requirements relating to their prescription.

3.14 Personal relationships

Whenever possible, avoid providing medical care to anyone with whom you have a close personal relationship. In most cases, providing care to close friends, those you work with and family members is inappropriate because of the lack of objectivity, possible discontinuity of care, and risks to the doctor and patient. In some cases, providing care to those close to you is unavoidable. Whenever this is the case, good medical practice requires recognition and careful management of these issues.

9.2 Your health

Good medical practice involves:

9.2.1 Having a general practitioner.

9.2.2 Seeking independent, objective advice when you need medical care, and being aware of the risks of self-diagnosis and self-treatment.

9.2.4 Conforming to the legislation in your state or territory in relation to self-prescribing.

Drug Scheduling:

In Australia, drugs are classified into Schedules that denote certain controls over their access and availability Schedule 4 (S4) – These drugs are only obtainable from a pharmacist and require a prescription. Schedule 8 (S8) – These are drugs of addiction and are controlled to reduce abuse. There are specific requirements relating to their prescription.

Relevant state and territory legislation:

ACT: Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008
NSW: Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008
NT: The Poisons and Dangerous Drugs Act 2011
QLD: Health (Drugs and Poisons) Regulation 1996
SA: Controlled Substances (Poisons) Regulations 2011
TAS: Poisons Regulations 2008
VIC: Drugs Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations 2006
WA: Poisons Act 1964