QScript is enabled by the Medicines and Poisons Act 2019.

The Medicines and Poisons Act 2019 gives the head of power for the establishment of the real-time prescription monitoring system, called QScript.

The Medicines and Poisons (Medicines) Regulation 2021:

• specifies the S4 and S8 medicines, known as monitored medicines, captured by QScript
• specifies the health practitioners required to check QScript before prescribing, dispensing or giving a treatment dose of a monitored medicine for a patient.

Requirements of health practitioners

Monitored medicines have a recognised therapeutic use but may also present a high risk of physical, mental and social harms. It is Queensland Health’s responsibility to regulate access to and encourage the safe use of monitored medicines.

QScript

From 28 October 2021 relevant health practitioners will be required to check QScript for patient records before:

• prescribing a monitored medicine for a patient
• dispensing a monitored medicine for a patient
• giving a treatment dose of a monitored medicine for a patient.

The Medicines and Poisons Act 2019 specifies penalties that can be imposed if health practitioners do not take reasonable steps to check QScript when required. There will be exceptions in some circumstances, including when treating patients in an emergency.