Applications to issue an authority to prescribe certain medicines

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Narcotic and psychostimulant medicines are used in some situations for the treatment of medical conditions.
If not used as prescribed, they can also cause substantial harm to the person’s health and to the community.
Examples of narcotic medicines are morphine and oxycodone.
Examples of psychostimulant medicines are dexamfetamine and methylphenidate.

To prescribe narcotic or psychostimulant medicines, your doctor must apply to us for authority:

This allows the Secretary of the Department of Health (Tasmania) to authorise treatment with certain medicines.
The authority may include conditions.
The application for authority may be refused.
Applications are assessed to ensure patient safety and address public health concerns.
If you are a doctor, patient or carer, you may ask for a review of a decision on an application.

Process for issuing authorities to prescribe narcotic or psychostimulant substances

You may apply to request a review of the decision for medical or other reasons.
It is important to discuss your review request with your doctor first.
If you are a carer, you must get consent from the patient before submitting the review application.
The review application will be dealt with by a different delegate to the person making the original decision.
The delegate may take advice from an alternate consultant medical officer or from a panel of medical specialists.

To apply for a review of a decision on an application to prescribe medicines under Section 59E of the Tasmanian Poisons Act 1971, please: