ePrescription SMS subsidy extended to 30 June 2022

SMS costs for electronic script tokens will continue to be subsidised by the government until at least 30 June 2022.

Following AMA advocacy, the Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) confirmed SMS costs for electronic script tokens will continue to be subsidised by the government until at least 30 June 2022.

SMS costs are raised each time a prescriber writes an electronic script and sends a token to the patient’s mobile. Active Script List technology is being rolled out and will eventually replace many token-based electronic scripts. The extension of the subsidy means the costs will not be passed onto prescribers.  

The Department of Health and the ADHA are also working on app alternatives that will allow prescribers to issue scripts to their patients via a mobile app, bypassing the need for tokens altogether. These alternatives are important for patients who prefer not to manage their prescriptions through the Active Script List.