News and Alerts

Innovative digital tags are attached to your pharmacy baskets, which communicate with MedView Flow to enable seamless workflow and script queuing.

See digital baskets in action

We’re proud to bring you industry-first smart technology that will transform your pharmacy’s script workflow.

Introducing MedView Flow Digital Baskets – the new way to manage scripts that is safer, easier and faster than your pharmacy’s current manual system and bridges the gap between digital processes and existing use of plastic prescription baskets.

With flexible purchase options and low set up costs, it’s easy to upgrade Medview Flow to include Digital Baskets. Find out more at www.medview.com.au/digitalbaskets

According to The Pharmacy Guild, under the 8CPA, the Additional Community Supply Support Payments (ACSS) are processed automatically, so no extra work or data submission is required for claiming them. Ensure your PBS claim is closed as per usual.

See the links below for more information.

8CPA FAQs - The Pharmacy Guild of Australia

Finalise and close a claim period

PBS have published an erratum containing the following errata to the September 2024 PBS Schedule:

(1) This Erratum corrects the clinical criteria for new Migalastat item 14573B in the 1 September 2024 Schedule.

(2) This Erratum corrects the DPMQ for CLAVULIN-125F (GlaxoSmithKline, Canada) brand of Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid in the 1 September 2024 Schedule.

For more information, see Errata to PBS Schedule.

We hope to see you and your team at the upcoming Pharmacy Connect and Pharmacy Assistant Conference in Sydney. Tickets to the trade exhibition are free.

Visit Fred and MedView on stands 67 & 68 to see a live demo of NEW MedView Flow Digital Baskets. See how you can revolutionise your pharmacy workflow!

Fees

The following fees, patient contributions, and Safety Net thresholds apply from 1 July 2024 and are included, where applicable, in prices published in the Schedule.

* The allowable additional patient charge is a discretionary charge to general patients if a pharmaceutical item has a dispensed price for maximum quantity less than the general patient co-payment. The pharmacist may charge general patients the allowable additional fee but the fee cannot take the cost of the prescription above the general patient co-payment for the medicine. This fee does not count towards the Safety Net threshold.

TasScript real-time prescription monitoring system will be available to access from 1 May 2024.

From 1 May 2024, it will be mandatory to check TasScript prior to writing or dispensing a prescription for a medicine monitored through the system. For more information, refer to TasScript for health practitioners on the Tasmanian Government website.

Get Started with TasScript

Step 1: Register If your principal place of practice (with Ahpra) is Tasmania, you will receive an invitation email shortly. Click the link to register. If your principal place of practice is not Tasmania, or you wish to register for TasScript early, you can register here.

Step 2: Activate Activate Realtime Prescription Monitoring (RTPM) in your dispensing software. See Activate National Data Exchange for details.

Step 3: Dispense The National Data Exchange (NDE) returns a response when you start dispensing a prescription for an S8 or other monitored medicine. See Real Time Prescription Monitoring for more information.

Your EOFY stocktake does not have to be done at the last minute. Start planning now – use our Interactive Stocktake Helper for Fred Office Plus. Learn More

UPGRADE TO THE NEW FRED MOBILITY

Now on an advanced Android platform with a familiar and modern interface, navigation and workflow.

Find out more

Contact your local Fred representative or sales@fred.com.au

PBS have published an erratum containing the following errata to the April 2024 PBS Schedule:

(1) This Erratum removes the Premium for Copaxone brand of Glatiramer Acetate in the 1 April 2024 Schedule.

(2) This Erratum corrects the restrictions for Niraparib in the 1 April 2024 Schedule.

(3) This Erratum reverses the priced reduction for item code 10345L, DOLUTEGRAVIR + ABACAVIR + LAMIVUDINE in the 1 April 2024 Schedule (late notice).

For more information, see Errata to PBS Schedule.

We hope you can join us at APP2024 to chat about the latest innovative and practical features to optimise your pharmacy workflows, access clinical intelligence, and deliver patient services.

Find us at Stands 125 -126 (Fred) and 126-127 (MedView)

You can also catch the Fred hosted Business Session, ‘Do we need Artificial Intelligence to serve customers better?’ on Thursday.

When: Thursday, 14 March 2024 - 2.00pm - 2.45pm

Where: Arena 1A

Who: Paul Naismith & Regina Cowie, Fred IT Group

Please be advised that Continued Dispensing (Emergency Measure) arrangements will be expanded from 1 January 2024 until 29 February 2024 to improve access to Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines and assist in managing the demand on the health system during the flooding disaster in Far North Queensland.

• The expanded list includes all Section 85 PBS authority and non-authority items

• This applies to most medicines generally supplied by community pharmacies

• S100 items are NOT to be supplied under these arrangements.

• The normal Continued Dispensing  PBS rules apply

The January Fred Dispense Plus drug file has been updated with the expanded list. When dispensing eligible authority items, please remember to use 123 as the authority number and enter ‘A2022CD’ in the phone approval number section.

For continued dispensing related queries please refer to the link above. If you have any other questions, refer to Dispense a Continued Dispensing Supply or contact Fred Help.

Presented at the Pharmacy Connect conference in September 2023 Fred's cyber security guru Andrew McManus explains the latest trends and emerging threats facing your pharmacy business.

• Who has access to your data? Supply chain attack (3 mins)

• Emerging threats - Artificial Intelligence (6.5 mins)

• Impact of a data breach on a small business (5 mins)

• Common cyber attacks in pharmacies (6 mins)

  Watch the Videos

We hope to see you and your team at this year’s combined Pharmacy Connect and Pharmacy Assistant Conferences. Visit Fred at stands 43 - 44 to learn about the latest innovations to support digital extension in your pharmacy.

Our cyber security session at Pharmacy Connect will focus on the current trends and emerging threats in the pharmacy industry. Andrew McManus will explore how the increased adoption of electronic prescriptions and digital health records has raised the risk of cyberattacks.

Cyber security trends and emerging threats - what it means for pharmacy

WHEN: Friday, 1 September | 12.15pm – 1.00pm

WHERE: Maritime Ballroom 2&3

In mid-September, we will be launching the National Customer Experience Survey 2023. We would greatly appreciate your participation to help us understand how we can improve and where we are getting things right. We also want to continue delivering changes to our products and services based on your feedback. Your invitation to participate in the survey will arrive in your inbox in September.

For general information on 60 day dispensing, please visit https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/60-day-dispensing

From 1 September 2023, medicines in stage 1 will have additional PBS Item Codes added to cater for 60 day dispensing.

A list of medications available in stage 1 is available here https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/60-day-dispensing/pbs-medicines-current-item-codes

How will 60 day dispensing work in Fred Dispense Plus?

When searching for drugs with a prescription date of 1 September 2023 or after, you will now see an additional PBS item code.

For example, searching for 'Felodur 10', will now produce two search results instead of one.

You will then select the applicable PBS Item Code based on the quantity on the prescription. This is a process that you will already be familiar with today for drugs that have multiple PBS Item Codes e.g. Nolvadex 20mg Tablets, Clexane 100mg/mL Syringe, Brufen 400mg Tablets.

You will not see the additional PBS Item Codes if the prescription date is before 1 September 2023

As denoted in the August 2023 PBS Schedule :

Pharmaceutical benefits that have a 50 x 2 pack size equating to 100 sachets and a 30 x 3.334 pack size equating to 100 sachets are equivalent for the purposes of substitution.

Due to the complexity of different pack sizes and achieving accurate DPMQ across both brands, substitution between the following PBS item codes will not be available in Fred Dispense via the usual GS shortcut.

13351Q and 2967E

13347L and 9249T

Instead, search and select the brand required when dispensing under these PBS codes.

In July 2023, the PBS Schedule included changes to the pack size and max quantity of budesonide 400 microgram/actuation + formoterol (eformoterol) fumarate dihydrate 12 microgram/actuation powder for inhalation, 2 x 60 actuation (PBS item code 11301T) from 1 to 2 in July 2023 to allow for substitution with brands marketed as a single-inhaler pack (13258T).

This had unintended consequences for prescriptions written before 1st July and supplied after July, where a rejection R144 was returned for quantity of 2 for item 11301T. Services Australia implemented a temporary approval number “J2023BF” to allow an ‘increased quantity’ of 2 to be submitted and claimed for this item until the data was corrected in the August 2023 PBS Schedule.

In a late notice on 28th July 2023, PBS have announced that they will be continuing the arrangement of the temporary authority code J2023BF until 30 June 2024.

https://www.pbs.gov.au/info/news/2023/07/update-substitution-of-budesonide-formoterol-listings

What do I need to know?

Excerpt from the web page:

How should prescriptions written for item 11301T prior to 1 July 2023 be handled?

Prescriptions for budesonide 400 microgram/actuation + formoterol fumarate dihydrate 12 microgram/actuation powder for inhalation written prior to 1 July 2023 will be reimbursed correctly when:

• PBS prescriptions and/or repeats for item 11301T with a Max Quantity of 1 written prior to 1 July 2023 and dispensed after 1 July 2023 should be claimed with a quantity of 2, using the temporary authority code J2023BF.

How do I handle this in Fred Dispense Plus?

• New scripts/repeats for 11301T with script date prior to 1 July 2023, ensure dispensed quantity is 2 and enter J2023BF into the streamlined code or phone approval number field:

  

• New scripts for 11301T with script date on or after 1 July 2023, emergency code is not required. Enter valid streamline code on script.

To avoid disruption to your Services Australia PBS Online claiming, you’ll need to extend your B2B Device in your PRODA account before it expires.

You’ll need to extend your B2B device with PRODA at least every 6 months.

Fred Dispense Plus will warn you of the impending expiry 14 days prior to expiration date

For more information on how to do this, refer to: Managing B2B Devices in PRODA - PRODA (Provider Digital Access) on the Services Australia website or call Services Australia on 1800 700 199.

Explore the role of digital health in optimising everyday pharmacy practice and improving patient health outcomes.

Unlock the power of digital health

Chrysa Giannellis, Managing Partner, Hummingbird Pharmaceutical Consulting

Sunday, 30 July 2023, 9.50 AM – 10.30 AM

Changes to the pack size and max quantity of budesonide 400 microgram/actuation + formoterol (eformoterol) fumarate dihydrate 12 microgram/actuation powder for inhalation, 2 x 60 actuation (PBS item code 11301T) from 1 to 2 in July 2023 as well as double dagger indicator have had unintended consequences on prescriptions written before 1st July and supplied after July.

Temporary PBS authority approval number

Services Australia have implemented a temporary PBS authority approval number that will allow an ‘increased quantity’ of 2 to be submitted and claimed for this item.

Regarding the R144 message for a quantity of 2 for item 11301T:

• Use Authority Prescription number as per prescription

• Use Authority Approval Number “J2023BF”

• Disregard PBS Online Warning 151 if returned

How to handle in Fred Dispense Plus

• For existing scripts that have R144 errors, edit scripts and enter J2023BF in the Streamline Code or Phone Approval Number field.

  

• For new scripts/repeats for 11301T with script date prior to 1 July 2023, please enter J2023BF into the Streamline Code or Phone Approval Number field.

• For new scripts for 11301T with script date on or after 1 July 2023, an emergency code is not required. Enter valid streamline code from the script into the Streamline Code or Phone Approval Number field.

From 1st of July ODT medicines will become part of the S100 Highly Specialised Drugs (HSD) Program (Community Access) arrangements.

Under this program, PBS eligible patients will pay the PBS co-payment to access their prescribed treatment (for up to 28 days’ supply per pharmaceutical benefit prescribed) and the amount paid will contribute towards their PBS Safety Net threshold. Additional private dispensing or dosing fees cannot be charged by section 90 community or section 94 hospital pharmacies to patients for access to ODT medicines under the PBS.

An ODT Community pharmacy program will be available for section 90 community pharmacies to submit claims through the PPA portal for services associated with in-pharmacy and take-away dosing.

The operation of state and territory ODT programs are and will continue to be governed by the respective policies, guidelines and regulations within each of those jurisdictions.

For more information on these changes as well as transitional arrangements, please refer to PBS factsheet for pharmacists.

Transitional arrangements

Temporary transition arrangements for existing ODT prescriptions are being put in place to enable patients to continue to access the medicines that they need.

For Paper prescriptions written before 1 July, refer to page 5 of the PBS Factsheet .

Electronic prescriptions written before 1 July 2023 will be dispensed differently during the transition period. This is because administrative systems do not support suppliers submitting PBS claims for electronic ODT prescriptions written prior to 1 July 2023 in the usual way.

PBS prescriptions written for ODT medicines on or after 1 July 2023 can be electronic.

Fred Dispense Plus instructions for ePrescriptions during the transition

We are providing the additional information below in good faith to assist you. It is recommended that you consult the PBS Factsheet for official advice.

The example below is provided to assist relevant pharmacies during the transition period and should be viewed in conjunction with the PBS Factsheet referenced above.

Scenario - Prescription for Methadone Syrup was dispensed as an ePrescription on 28 June 2023 with a weekly takeaway dose.

Step 1 Annotate a photocopy of the prescription

1. Edit the prescription in the usual manner.

   (Click the image to enlarge it).

   

2. Click on the green image or press <CTRL + Right Arrow> to expand the view of the script.

   The script details are displayed.

   (Click the image to enlarge it).

   

3. Take a screenshot of the script details—press Windows logo key + Shift + S to open the Snipping Tool.

4. Position your mouse at the top left corner of the script details and drag to the lower right.

   (Click the image to enlarge it).

   

   The image is captured and stored in the clipboard.

5. Open a blank word document and paste the image (CTRL + V).

6. Print the document and annotate as outlined on page 5 of the PBS Factsheet .

Step 2: Dispense the remainder of the script (on or after 1 July)

1. Start the dispensing process for the patient.

2. When prompted for an Authority, fill in the Authority Number and either Streamlined Code or Phone Approval Number and click Yes.

   Refer to Table 4 in the PBS Factsheet .

   

   * Use either the PBS Authority Approval Number or the relevant Streamline Authority Code depending on the quantity that is required to be dispensed.

3. In the Quantity field, enter the remaining amount to be dispensed.

4. Continue dispensing in the usual manner.

Other Resources

In addition to the PBS Factsheet referenced above, the following resources may help you with the transition:

• An Opioid Dependence Treatment (ODT) quantity calculator is available from the PBS Opioid Dependence Treatment Program page to support prescription transition.

• Webinar:Navigating major changes to how you deliver the VIC Pharmacotherapy (Opioid Replacement Therapy) Program from 1st July 2023 (Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, 29 June 2023 at 7:00 pm)

• If you have questions or need support, refer to the PBS Contacts for Health Professionals or call 1800 020 613 Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.00pm (AEST).

The Department of Health is making changes to the below-mentioned products on the PBS to allow for dispensing of volumes smaller than a whole bottle at PBS subsidised prices. This is also in line with the new arrangement for Opioid Dependence Treatment Changes which allow for scripts for ODT medications to be claimed via the S100 HSD Program (Community Access). Note that the full volume per bottle will still be includedin the strength allow for distinction between 200mL bottle and the 1L bottle, both which are listed on PBS for July 2023.

Fred IT Group advises that scripts submitted prior to 1 July 2023 should not be edited if possible due to unknown flow on effects to POS, DD Book and reports.

Fees

The following fees, patient contributions, and Safety Net thresholds apply from 1 July 2023 and are included, where applicable, in prices published in the Schedule.

* The allowable additional patient charge is a discretionary charge to general patients if a pharmaceutical item has a dispensed price for maximum quantity less than the general patient co-payment. The pharmacist may charge general patients the allowable additional fee but the fee cannot take the cost of the prescription above the general patient co-payment for the medicine. This fee does not count towards the Safety Net threshold.

The 15-cent electronic prescription fee (EPF) paid to pharmacies via the Community Pharmacy Agreement will end on 30 June 2023. The ending of the EPF will maintain a cost-neutral arrangement for pharmacies as they will no longer be charged a 15c fee for eligible prescriptions by the Prescription Delivery Services. The Australian Digital Health Agency will continue to reimburse the cost of electronic prescribing SMS notifications to 30 September 2023. SMS notifications will then be funded through the national PDS.

For more information see Connecting to the National Prescription Delivery Service from the Department of Health and Aged Care.

As of Monday 26 June 2023 patients can no longer access their MySL active script list with the WhatsApp MySL service. Patients who try to access this service will see one of the following messages:

If your pharmacy has MedView Chat enabled

WhatsApp access to MySL (My Script List) is currently unavailable however your electronic prescriptions are still available for dispensing.

Please speak to your pharmacist to access these scripts or I can connect you now via WhatsApp.

Type in the number or one of the words to chat with your pharmacist.

*1. Yes* Chat to the pharmacy

*2. No* Please end the conversation

If your pharmacy does not have MedView Chat enabled

Ordering your prescriptions via WhatsApp is currently not available however your electronic prescriptions are still available for dispensing. Please speak to your pharmacist to access those scripts.

Ending your chat session now. It was our pleasure to help you today, goodbye.

Please advise any affected customers that their prescriptions are still available to be dispensed from their MySL.

Find out how to dispense prescriptions from a Patient's MySL.

Due to feedback received from pharmacists, the pack size of Ordine 1mg/mL oral solution has been updated to allow pharmacists to dispense volumes smaller than a whole bottle.

FRED advises that scripts submitted prior to 1 June 2023 should not be edited if possible due to unknown flow on effects to POS, DD Book and reports.

EOFY stocktake season is fast approaching. Start planning now – use our Interactive Stocktake Helper for Fred Office Plus. Learn More

UPGRADE TO THE NEW FRED MOBILITY

Now on an advanced Android platform with a familiar and modern interface, navigation and workflow.

Find out more

Contact your local Fred representative or sales@fred.com.au to claim a 10% discount on kits purchased before EOFY2023.

Fred IT Group has been awarded the contract to deliver the next phase of the national electronic prescription delivery service for the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.

Using eRx Script Exchange, the new service will ensure that Australian health professionals and patients continue to have access to a robust, secure electronic prescription network.

Find out more

In this interview with AJP, Andrew McManus, Fred’s general manager service delivery, addresses the rising threat cyber criminals pose to Australia’s community pharmacy network and how to defend against attacks by investing in your people, processes and technology. Watch Now

Fred can help you with any questions or concerns regarding cyber security in your pharmacy. Contact your Fred representative or reach us at sales@fred.com.au or 1800 888 828.

Your EOFY stocktake does not have to be done at the last minute. Start planning now – use our Interactive Stocktake Helper for Fred Office Plus. Learn More

UPGRADE TO THE NEW FRED MOBILITY

Now on an advanced Android platform with a familiar and modern interface, navigation and workflow.

Find out more

Contact your local Fred representative or sales@fred.com.au to claim a 10% discount on kits purchased before EOFY2023.

A late notice was received from PBS on the 31st March and 3rd of April regarding the incorrect price for 8571D and 2827T in the 1 April 2023 PBS Schedule, please refer to the erratum document published by PBS:

https://www.pbs.gov.au/publication/schedule/2023/04/2023-04-01-Errata.pdf

https://www.pbs.gov.au/publication/schedule/2023/04/2023-04-01-errata-2-pricing-of-fluticasone-propionate-with-formoterol.pdf

The pricing will be corrected by PBS in the 1 May 2023 schedule, which will be delivered in the Fred Dispense 1 May 2023 update.

For more information please see the details on the PBS news website:

Novorapid® (insulin aspart) PBS pricing information

Flutiform 50/5® (fluticasone propionate + formoterol (eformoterol)) PBS pricing information

The Department of Health is making changes to the listing of the below-mentioned products on the PBS to allow pharmacists to dispense volumes smaller than a whole bottle at PBS subsidised prices.

• Oral solution containing morphine hydrochloride trihydrate 2 mg per mL, 200 mL

• Oral solution containing morphine hydrochloride trihydrate 5 mg per mL, 200 mL

• Oral solution containing morphine hydrochloride trihydrate 10 mg per mL, 200 mL and

• Oral solution containing oxycodone hydrochloride 1 mg per mL, 250 mL

More details...

The changes being implemented mirror those made on 1 August 2022 to the listing of oral solution containing hydromorphone hydrochloride 1 mg per mL, 1 mL following consultation with key stakeholders representing prescribers, pharmacists, pharmacy dispensing software, electronic Schedule 8 drug registers, and state and territory health authorities.

Amendments to the PBS listing of Morphine oral solution Change
	Current	Amendments from 1 February 2023
Legislative Instrument form descriptions	Oral solution containing hydromorphone hydrochloride 2 mg per mL, 200 mL	Oral solution containing hydromorphone hydrochloride 2 mg per mL, 1 mL
	Oral solution containing morphine hydrochloride trihydrate 5 mg per mL, 200 mL	Oral solution containing morphine hydrochloride trihydrate 5 mg per mL, 1 mL
	Oral solution containing morphine hydrochloride trihydrate 10 mg per mL, 200 mL	Oral solution containing morphine hydrochloride trihydrate 10 mg per mL, 1 mL
Pharmaceutical Item value	1 unit (ie. bottle)	200 units (ie. millilitres)
Pack Qty	1	200
Pricing Qty	1	200
Max Qty Units	1	200

 

Amendments to the PBS listing of Oxycodone oral solution Change
	Current	Amendments from 1 February 2023
Legislative Instrument form descriptions	Oral solution containing oxycodone hydrochloride 1 mg per mL, 250 mL	Oral solution containing oxycodone hydrochloride 1 mg per mL, 1 mL
Pharmaceutical Item value	1 unit (ie. bottle)	250 units (ie. millilitres)
Pack Qty	1	250
Pricing Qty	1	250
Max Qty Units	1	250

Pharmacy action

New scripts/repeats

When supplying these prescriptions as originals or repeats, which were written prior to but supplied on or after 1 Feb 2023, pharmacies must update the quantity representing the number of mL’s as applicable (remembering to allow for smaller volumes) from what was previously represented as a pack quantity of 1.

Example: PBS Scripts for one bottle of hydromorphone oral solution written prior to 1 February 2023 and dispensed after 1 February 2023 should be claimed with quantity 200 (for morphine hydrochloride trihydrate) or 250 (for oxycodone hydrochloride).

Edits and resubmissions

For more information please see the announcement, Changes to PBS listing of morphine and oxycodone oral solutions , from the Department of Health.

We are excited to announce your new look customer support service that will make it easier and faster for us to respond to your needs.

What's New?

Fred Customer Portal: Create a service request, view & manage your requests, search the knowledgebase

Live Chat: Interact with a Fred Help consultant to ask quick questions

What's Changed?

• Improved Fred Service Levels (including Saturday)

• Extended business hours

• Outside of business hours, emergency only Sunday

The following PBS fee changes are effective from 1 January 2023: