Department of Health

Warrants for restricted Schedule 4 medicines

Key messages

  • Treatment with retinoids, ovulatory stimulants, prostaglandins thalidomide and lenalidomide may only be initiated by a medical practitioner with the appropriate qualifications and expertise and who has obtained a corresponding warrant from the department.
  • A medical practitioner who does not hold a warrant may only prescribe these medicines when acting in accordance with the direction of a warrant holder who is treating the patient.

Retinoids (such as acitretin or oral isotretinoin), ovulatory stimulants (such as clomiphene), prostaglandins (such as dinoprost) plus thalidomide and lenalidomide are Schedule 4 medicines that have special risks associated with their use. Treatment may only be initiated by a medical practitioner with the appropriate qualifications and expertise. The medical practitioner must hold a warrant to prescribe the medicine, and must endorse each prescription with their warrant number.

A medical practitioner who does not hold a warrant may only prescribe these medicines when acting in accordance with the direction of the warrant holder who usually treats the patient. In this case, the prescriber must endorse the prescription with the warrant holder’s name and warrant number.

Applying for a warrant

Warrant applications may be submitted online via the page Online forms – drugs and poisons regulation.

Reviewed 08 November 2023

Health.vic

More information

Contact details

Medicines and Poisons Regulation Department of Health GPO Box 4057, Melbourne , VIC 3001

50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
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