Over-the-counter medicines and the pharmacy system in Australia
How medicines are scheduled in Australia
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) classifies medicines into Schedules under the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP). The schedule determines where a medicine can be sold and what professional oversight is required. For medicines available without a prescription, the two key schedules are:
- Schedule 2 (Pharmacy Medicine): available only from a pharmacy, but no pharmacist consultation is required. The medicine can be placed on open shelves. Examples include most antihistamines, some low-strength pain relievers, and basic eye drops.
- Schedule 3 (Pharmacist Only Medicine): must be stored behind the dispensary counter and supplied only by a pharmacist (or under their direct supervision). The pharmacist must counsel you before supply. Examples include some strengths of ibuprofen, emergency contraception (Plan B/morning-after pill), certain antihistamines at higher doses, and some nasal decongestants containing pseudoephedrine.
By contrast, Schedule 4 medicines require a prescription from a registered medical practitioner — they cannot be obtained at a pharmacy counter without one.
What a pharmacist can help with
Australian pharmacists are trained health professionals — not just dispensers of medicines. For Schedule 3 medicines, they are required to ask about your symptoms, other medications, and relevant medical history before supplying the product.
A pharmacist can assist with:
- Minor ailments: cold and flu, hay fever, minor skin conditions, indigestion, mild pain, thrush, conjunctivitis, and mouth ulcers
- Choosing the right product: helping you select between brand-name and generic equivalents, or between formulations (tablet, liquid, nasal spray)
- Drug interaction checks: if you provide a list of your current medicines, the pharmacist can check for potential interactions
- Harm minimisation: some Schedule 3 medicines (particularly those containing pseudoephedrine) require you to show ID and sign a register, as they are precursors to illicit drugs
When you need a prescription
Not all conditions can be managed at a pharmacy. You should see a GP (general practitioner) or appropriate specialist if:
- Your symptoms have lasted more than a few days without improvement
- You have a fever above 38.5°C or symptoms that are worsening
- You need antibiotics — all antibiotics are Schedule 4 in Australia and require a prescription
- You need ongoing management of a chronic condition such as asthma, diabetes, or high blood pressure
- A Schedule 3 product does not resolve your condition within the recommended treatment period
Some states also have Scope of Practice arrangements allowing pharmacists to prescribe for a limited range of conditions (such as uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women) — check with your local pharmacy about what is available in your state.
PBS subsidies and paying for medicines
Many prescription medicines are subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), reducing the cost to approximately $7–$31 per item for eligible patients. Over-the-counter medicines are generally not PBS-subsidised, though some Schedule 3 items may be listed for specific indications.
If you hold a Concession Card (Pensioner Concession Card or Health Care Card), your co-payment for PBS medicines is reduced, and you may be eligible for the PBS Safety Net, which further reduces or eliminates co-payments once you reach an annual spending threshold.
Medicines from overseas
If you are arriving in Australia with medicines from overseas, be aware that some products freely available in other countries are prescription-only or prohibited in Australia. Check with the TGA or a pharmacist if you are unsure about a medicine you have brought from Vietnam or another country.