Veteran Card holders in fire-affected areas of NSW can continue to access important medicines from an approved pharmacist, where there is an immediate need for the medicine, but it is not possible to obtain a valid prescription.
This may be due to loss of access to the prescription due to the fires, or if the Veteran Card holder is unable to access their medical practitioner.
The supply of Veteran Card holder medicines in this way is subject to the Continued Dispensing arrangements of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). A pharmacy can only provide one supply per medicine under these arrangements within a 12-month period.
The Veteran Card holder must previously have been prescribed this medicine, and the pharmacist must be satisfied that it is urgently needed and it is not practical to obtain a new prescription due to the impacts of the fires.
So, if you urgently need medicine as outlined above, please ask your local pharmacist for support.
This measure will be in place until 31 January 2026.