Creating Prescriptions

This article covers how to use the Medication Prescriber screen in HealthTrack to write prescriptions, manage PBS and authority medications, use favourites, and record externally issued medications.

For electronic prescriptions (ePrescriptions via eRx), see the Creating an ePrescription article.

Opening the Medication Prescriber

There are two ways to open the Medication Prescriber from the patient’s Clinical Summary tab:

  • Click the New button above the Current Medications list, or
  • Click the Prescription button on the right-hand side panel.  

The Medication Prescriber screen displays the patient’s name, date of birth, Medicare number, and DVA number at the top. The left panel is for searching medications, and the main area is for entering prescription details.

Writing a Prescription

  1. Search for the medication using the Search tab on the left. You can search by drug name, generic name, or drug class.
  2. Select the medication from the results. The available variations (form, strength, pack size) appear in the top table.
  3. Select the appropriate variation. The details will populate the fields below.

  1. Fill in the prescribing details: Dose, Frequency, Instructions, and any other required fields.
  2. Click the Add button to add the medication to the New Prescription list.
  3. Repeat steps 1–5 to add additional medications to the same script if needed.
  4. When all medications have been added, click the Prescribe button to generate the prescription.

HealthTrack will automatically print the correct number of scripts based on Medicare rules for the number of items per prescription.


Key Prescription Fields

Field Description
PBS Status Automatically set based on MIMS data and the patient’s Medicare/DVA details. Can be Non-PBS, PBS, or RPBS.
Private Script Select this checkbox for private (non-PBS) prescriptions.
Brand Subst. Not Permitted Select if the patient must receive the specific brand and not a generic substitute.
Reg. 24 Select for Regulation 24 prescriptions (increased quantities).
Ongoing Indicates this is an ongoing medication for the patient.
Externally Issued Select when recording medications prescribed by another doctor. No physical script will be printed.
Notes Free-text notes that will appear on the prescription.

PBS Status and Authority Medications

The PBS Status is set automatically based on MIMS data and the patient’s Medicare or DVA details:

  • If MIMS lists the medication as PBS and the patient has a valid Medicare number, PBS is selected.
  • If the medication is listed as RPBS and the patient has a DVA number, RPBS is selected.
  • If MIMS provides no status, or the patient has no valid Medicare/DVA details, it defaults to Non-PBS.


Streamlined Authority

Streamlined Authority medications don’t require a phone call to Medicare or DVA, but you must enter an authority code. HealthTrack displays the required information in the Indications For panel.

  1. Select the medication. The authority information and codes appear in the Indications For panel on the right.
  2. Click the Request Approval button.
  3. Enter the Authority Approval Code and click Save.
  4. The medication can now be added to the prescription.


Authority Medication (Phone Approval)

For medications requiring full authority approval, you’ll need to call Medicare or DVA.

  1. Select the medication and click the Request Approval button.
  2. In the Authority Approval Details dialog, click Get Authority Prescription Number to retrieve the number Medicare/DVA will need.
  3. Call Medicare (1800 888 333) or DVA (1800 552 580) and provide the prescription number.
  4. Enter the authority approval code they provide and click Save.

You can save frequently prescribed medications as favourites for quicker access. For instructions, review our How to set favourite medications article.


Prescribing Information and CMI

If your site has a MIMS subscription, you can view detailed prescribing information directly in the Medication Prescriber.

  • Click the Prescribing Info tab (next to Medication Detail) to view abbreviated or full prescribing information from MIMS.

  • Click the View CMI button on the Medication Detail tab to open the Consumer Medicine Information as a PDF, which can be printed for the patient.


Blank Scripts

  • To prescribe a medication that isn’t in the MIMS database, click the Blank Script button. This unlocks the medication fields so you can enter the details manually.

If you’ve edited MIMS-supplied details and want to restore them, click the Reset button.


Currently Prescribed Medications

  • The bottom section of the Medication Detail tab shows all currently prescribed medications for the patient. Select Show Past Medications to include historical prescriptions.

  • To reprint a prescription, select the medication and click the Reprint button.

Authority scripts cannot be reprinted, per Medicare rules. Only non-authority prescriptions can be reprinted.

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