From 16 March 2020, as part of the Australian Government’s comprehensive package to address the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, pharmacies will be able to receive payments under the Home Medicines Service.

This Service is a temporary program which aims to support and protect the most vulnerable members of our community from potential exposure to COVID-19 by subsidising home delivery of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS) medications, removing the need for a patient to visit a pharmacy.

Vulnerable people, and those in home isolation, will be able to order their PBS and RPBS prescriptions remotely and have these items delivered to their homes to reduce their potential exposure to COVID-19.

Patient and pharmacy eligibility are outlined in the Program Rules.  Further information is outlined in the FAQ. 

Pharmacies will be able to undertake services from 16 March 2020, providing the pharmacy and the patients meet the eligibility criteria, and register and lodge claims for this service once the Portal is available on 1 April 2020.