When does my eScript expire? Enter your prescription date for an instant answer — or scroll down to learn how eScripts work.
An eScript (electronic prescription) is a digital version of a paper prescription. Instead of getting a physical piece of paper, your doctor sends a token (a unique code or QR code) to your phone via SMS or email. You show this token at any pharmacy in Australia to collect your medication.
eScripts are legally equivalent to paper prescriptions. They are secure, can't be lost, and can be used at any pharmacy — not just your usual one.
During your appointment (in-person or telehealth), your GP writes the prescription in their clinical software — just like a paper script, but they select "electronic" instead of printing.
You'll get an SMS or email containing a unique token — either a clickable link or a QR code. This is your eScript. Save it or screenshot it. Each medication gets its own token.
Show the token (on your phone screen) to the pharmacist. They scan the QR code or type in the token number. You can go to any pharmacy in Australia — you're not locked in to one.
The pharmacist dispenses your medication as normal. If the prescription has repeats, the token is updated — you use the same token for each repeat. The pharmacist can also process repeats remotely (depending on the pharmacy).
Can be lost or damaged. Must be taken to the specific pharmacy that holds your repeats. Can't be filled remotely. Requires a physical visit to your GP for the paper.
Stored on your phone — can't be lost. Use at any pharmacy in Australia. Works with telehealth appointments. Can be forwarded to someone else to pick up your meds. Repeats tracked digitally.
Yes. You can ask your doctor for a paper prescription if you prefer. However, most GPs have switched to eScripts as the default, and eScripts are especially useful after telehealth appointments where you don't physically see the doctor.
The eScript token can be sent via SMS to any phone (including non-smartphones). You just need to show the SMS to the pharmacist. Alternatively, you can receive it via email and print it, or you can ask for a paper prescription instead.
Yes. You can forward the eScript token (SMS or email) to a family member, carer, or friend, and they can present it at the pharmacy on your behalf. This is especially useful if you're unwell or immobile.
When your doctor prescribes a medication with repeats, all the repeats are included in the same eScript token. Each time you fill a repeat, the token is updated. You use the same token each time — no need for a new one.
Some pharmacies can also dispense repeats remotely — you call or use their app, and they prepare the medication for pickup or delivery.
Yes. Unlike paper prescriptions where your repeats are held at a specific pharmacy, eScripts can be used at any pharmacy in Australia. This means you can fill your script wherever is most convenient — near work, near home, or while travelling.
You can store eScripts in: the myGov app on your phone, compatible pharmacy apps (e.g. Chemist Warehouse, MyScript), or simply save/screenshot the SMS or email. The My Health Record system can also store eScript information.