Policy for issuing Schedule 8 permits

The Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 sets out certain circumstances when a registered medical practitioner or nurse practitioner must apply for a permit to prescribe a Schedule 8 poison. These are substances which should be available for use but require restrictions on supply to minimise abuse, misuse and dependence.1
(The Act defines “Schedule 8 permits” as meaning permits to administer, supply or prescribe a Schedule 8 poison issued by the Secretary under section 34A.)

Generally, a permit is required before any treatment of a drug dependent person, before any treatment with methadone, nabiximols or a psychostimulant drug, or when treatment with a Schedule 8 poison exceeds eight weeks (includes any period of treatment provided by another practitioner). There are exceptions to these requirements however. It is the responsibility of the practitioner to know if they are required by the Act to hold a permit in a particular case.

This document sets out the Department of Health's policies regarding the assessment of a practitioner's application for a permit to prescribe a Schedule 8 poison.