Applying for an approval is easy using SafeScript NSW
The SafeScript NSW approval management functionality allows prescribers to submit online applications for approval to prescribe:
- Medicines under the NSW Opioid Treatment Program (OTP)
- Schedule 8 psychostimulants (dexamfetamine, lisdexamfetamine and methylphenidate)
- Schedule 8 pain management medicines
- Schedule 8 benzodiazepines
- esketamine and ketamine (for treatment resistant depression)
Applications for all other approvals are to be completed using the PDF application forms that are available on the Pharmaceutical Services page.
To learn how to apply for an approval, watch this video:
Getting started
Register for SafeScript NSW
Not yet registered for SafeScript NSW? Registration is simple and will take less than 10 minutes to complete.
Applying for an approval for the first time
When applying for an online approval for the first time, there are several actions users should perform to ensure that the process is smooth and that they have the right visibility of their organisation’s approvals.
Please use the following guides to support you through your initial set up:
Managing your organisations
Managing your organisations in SafeScript NSW provides visibility of approvals that are active within your organisation. It also allows prescribers to link the relevant organisation to your approval applications.
Watch the following video to learn more:
For further instructions on how to manage your organisations, see WebHelp.
Using patient profiles
Understanding the different patient types
SafeScript NSW displays patient information, including prescribing and dispensing (transactional) history, and approval (regulatory) history from the last 2 years. Patients with no history will not be available in the system.
When searching for a patient, you may encounter 3 different profile types:
Record type | Description | Users can see approval history | Prescribers can apply for approvals from the patient profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| This patient has a linked profile which means they have both a high-risk medicine and approval (i.e., regulatory) history. It’s recommended to use this profile if you see multiple entries for the same patient. | yes | yes |
| This patient has a regulatory profile, which means this patient has an approval history but has not been linked to any high-risk medicine history. | yes | yes |
| This patient has high-risk medicine history sourced from clinical systems but no approval history (regulatory profile). | no Patient doesn't have an approval history | no Apply via the Approvals page |
To learn more about the patient search, watch the below video:
For further instructions on patient search and navigation, see WebHelp or view the Record Types quick reference guide.
Patient search and getting the most out of their profile
Users can search for a patient’s profile using SafeScript NSW to find information about their prescribing, dispensing and approval history.
When applying for an approval, first review the patient’s prescribing and dispensing history if it’s available. Then you can visit the patient’s regulatory profile to review the patient’s approval history and apply for an approval.
To understand more about patient profiles, watch the below video:
For further instructions on patient search and navigation, see WebHelp.
Multiple patient records
In some cases, there may be multiple entries for the same patient in the search results. It is possible that SafeScript NSW has multiple records for this patient.
If an application is required for the patient and there is a linked (
) profile available, apply for the approval via this profile. Otherwise, use their regulatory (
) profile.
To correct patients with multiple profiles, please submit a request to the technical support team or call 1800 776 633 and provide them with the following details:
- the patients’ full name and date of birth
- any identification numbers associated with the patients.
If a patient cannot be found
If a patient cannot be found through the search function, it is likely that the patient has not yet been prescribed and/or supplied high-risk medicines or had an approval. Prescribers will be able to manually add in patient information into the application form in SafeScript NSW.
To find out how to add a patient for an application via SafeScript NSW portal, see WebHelp.