What is an eScript (electronic prescription)?

An eScript, or electronic prescription, is a digital version of a prescription that your doctor can use to prescribe medicines. With an eScript your medicine can prescribed and dispensed without the need for a paper prescription.

How is an eScript different from a paper prescription?

The main difference between eScript and a paper prescription is how you get the prescription. You will get a digital token from your doctor by SMS or email instead of a signed piece of paper.

What are the benefits of an eScript?

An eScript can save you time and make it easier and safer to get your medicine. It helps prevent delays due to losing or damaging your paper prescription. Using an eScript also reduces prescribing and dispensing mistakes.

An eScript makes it possible to pick up your prescription medicine wherever and whenever you are ready.

You can forward your eScript to the pharmacy so you can pick up your medicine later. If your pharmacy has a delivery service, your medicine can be sent to your home.

You can also forward your eScript to a trusted person, like a family member or carer, who can pick up your medicine for you.

How does an eScript work?

To get an eScript, you will need to ask for one during your appointment with your doctor or other prescriber.

New eScript

Here are the steps for a new eScript:

• Your doctor will send you a link by SMS or email.
• The link has a unique QR code, known as a digital 'token' — this token is your prescription to take to a pharmacy.
• Your pharmacist will scan the digital token to access your prescription.
• Your pharmacist will dispense your medicine and give it to you.
• You will receive one token for each medicine you are prescribed.

Make sure your doctor has the right email address or phone number for you, so your token goes to the right place.

Your doctor can cancel an eScript or send it again if you delete it by mistake.

Repeat eScripts

If you have a repeat prescription:

• The pharmacist will send you a new token for it by SMS or email.
• The next time you need your medicine, you will need to show the pharmacist the new token.
• You can ask the pharmacist to print a paper prescription for your repeat, if you prefer.

Can all medicines be prescribed using an eScript?

Most medicines can be prescribed using an eScript.

How do I get an eScript to my pharmacist?

You can take your token to a pharmacy as you normally would a paper prescription.

You can also forward your token directly to a pharmacy. Then the pharmacist will get your medicine ready for you to collect. The pharmacy can deliver medicine to your home, if this service is available.

You can also forward your token to a trusted person so they can collect your medicine.

Can I use an eScript at any pharmacy?

You can take your eScript to any pharmacy that is set up to dispense medicines using eScript. Most pharmacies can use eScript.

How can I manage my eScripts?

You can choose to manage your eScripts using a mobile app. These include:

• my health app — lets you view your eScripts and check your Active Script List (ASL) — it also stores your key health information
• apps developed by your local pharmacy — ask your pharmacist for more information

You can also keep track of your prescriptions using an ASL.

In 2025, some people had trouble getting access to eScripts through SMS.

You can find more information about errors when opening your eScript SMS on the Australian Digital Health Agency website.

What is an Active Script List (ASL)?

An ASL is a digital list of all your eScripts. It helps you keep track of your prescriptions by keeping all your tokens in one place. This can be helpful because you won't have to keep track of each token.

If you take more than 2 medicines, an ASL can be a handy option. You don't have to show your token every time you get your medicine.

If you want to use an ASL, you will need to sign up for one. Ask your pharmacist how to do it.

Once you have registered, you won't need to keep track of each eScript. You can go to any pharmacy that is part of the program and give consent for the pharmacist to see your ASL. Your pharmacist can then give you your medicines.

Can other people use my ASL?

You can also give your carer or someone else you trust access to your ASL. Then they can pick up your medicines or take care of your ASL for you.

Parents or carers can help with their child's ASL until they turn 15 years old. Young people aged 15 years and over can handle their own ASL.

Talk to your pharmacist about how to let someone you trust access your ASL.

Resources and support

If you want to know more about using eScripts and an ASL, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Visit the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) to view their electronic prescriptions information for patients.

Go to the Australian Digital Health Agency website to learn more about how electronic prescriptions work.

You can find more information about Active Script List on the MySL website.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.