Written by the Priceline Pharmacy Pacific Fair team. Reviewed by Jason Markey, BPharmSci, MPharm, Owner and Pharmacist.
General health information from a registered pharmacist. It doesn’t replace advice from your own pharmacist or doctor.
An eScript is a digital prescription sent to your phone as a token, an Active Script List keeps all your eScripts in one place so you don’t need the tokens, and “scripts on file” means your pharmacy safely holds your paper prescriptions for you. Knowing how to use eScripts, and which option suits you, can save you time at the counter. Our prescription service at Priceline Pharmacy Pacific Fair works with all three, and this guide explains each in plain English.
What is an eScript?
An eScript, or electronic prescription, is a digital version of a paper prescription. When your doctor prescribes a medicine, they send you an SMS or email containing a link to a token, which is a unique QR code.
- You get a separate token for each medicine.
- At the pharmacy, the pharmacist scans the token. It works like a key that opens your prescription from a secure electronic system.
- If your prescription has repeats, the pharmacy sends you a new token for the next repeat by SMS or email.
- Once your medicine has been dispensed, you can delete the token you just used.
The Australian Digital Health Agency suggests checking you’ve received your token before you leave your doctor’s appointment. It only takes a second and saves a trip back.
Can I send my eScript to the pharmacy before I arrive?
Yes. You can forward the token to your pharmacy so your medicine is ready to collect, or so it can be delivered if the pharmacy offers delivery. You can also forward it to a family member, carer or friend who’s collecting your medicine for you.
What is an Active Script List?
An Active Script List (ASL) is a secure digital list of your electronic prescriptions, and it can also include barcoded paper prescriptions. Once you’re registered, any new eScript your doctor writes is added to your list automatically. You no longer need to keep track of individual tokens.
How do I sign up?
Visit a participating pharmacy with your mobile phone and 100 points of identification. Most community pharmacies can register you. After that, you can walk into a participating pharmacy, give your consent for the staff to access your list, and have your medicines dispensed.
How does consent work?
Your ASL is yours to control:
- A pharmacy needs your consent before it can view your list.
- You can ask your doctor not to add particular medicines to your list.
- You can still choose to receive a token by SMS or email as well.
- You can ask for a pharmacy’s access to be removed, or close your list altogether, through the Active Script List Registry.
What does “scripts on file” mean?
If your doctor gives you a paper prescription with repeats, you can ask the pharmacy to keep it on file for you. The pharmacy stores the original safely, so you don’t have to remember to bring it each time or worry about losing it. When you need a repeat, you just ask.
Scripts on file are handy for paper prescriptions, but they only work at the pharmacy holding them. If you want to take a paper repeat elsewhere, ask for it back first. The Australian Digital Health Agency notes that if you have a barcoded paper prescription, the paper copy is still legally required for the pharmacist to supply your medicine.
eScripts vs Active Script List vs scripts on file: a quick comparison
| Feature | eScript token | Active Script List | Paper script on file |
|---|---|---|---|
| What you carry | A token on your phone for each medicine | Nothing, once registered | Nothing, the pharmacy holds it |
| Where you can use it | Any pharmacy you choose | Any participating pharmacy, with your consent | Only the pharmacy holding the script |
| Repeats | New token sent after each supply | Added to your list automatically | Kept with the original script |
| Can someone collect for you? | Yes, forward them the token | Yes, an agent or carer can be recorded | Yes, ask the pharmacy |
| Best for | Occasional scripts, or choosing a pharmacy each time | People taking several regular medicines | People who prefer paper and use one pharmacy |
Lost your eScript token? Here’s what to do
It happens all the time, often when a phone is replaced or messages are cleared. The fix depends on which script it is:
- An original prescription (the first supply): contact the doctor who wrote it and ask them to resend it.
- A repeat: contact the pharmacy that dispensed your last supply and ask them to resend the repeat token.
If you lose tokens regularly, an Active Script List is worth considering, because the pharmacy can see your current eScripts with your consent, even without a token.
How the Priceline app can help
The Australian Digital Health Agency notes that many pharmacies have their own apps to help you manage electronic prescription tokens. The Priceline app can help you keep your scripts organised and remind you when your repeats are due, so it’s easier to get your order ready before you arrive.
That’s especially handy on busy Pacific Fair days, like weekends, late-night Thursday shopping and the lead-up to Christmas, when you’d rather not wait.
If you or a family member take several medicines each day, you might also like to know about our medication packing service, which sorts doses into easy-to-use packs.
Frequently asked questions
How long is an eScript valid?
Electronic prescriptions are valid for the same length of time as paper ones. According to the Australian Digital Health Agency, in most cases that’s 12 months, but it can be shorter for some medicines and may depend on state or territory rules.
Can I use my eScript interstate?
Yes. You can take your token to the pharmacy of your choice, which makes eScripts a convenient option if you travel often, including for holidays on the Gold Coast.
Do I have to use eScripts?
No. You can ask your doctor for a paper prescription instead. For repeats, you can also ask your pharmacist to print a paper copy if you prefer.
What if I don’t have a mobile phone?
Talk to your doctor about other options, such as a paper prescription. Your pharmacy can also keep paper scripts on file for you.
Is my information secure?
eScripts are stored in an encrypted electronic prescription delivery service, and the token only gives access to your prescription when it’s scanned. An Active Script List can only be viewed by a pharmacy you’ve given consent to.
When to see a pharmacist or GP
Talk to your pharmacist if you’re unsure whether you have repeats left, which token belongs to which medicine, or how to set up an Active Script List. See your GP if your script has run out, if your medicine needs reviewing, or if you’re having side effects. Never stop a regular medicine because a script has lapsed. Ask your pharmacist about your options the same day. In an emergency, call 000.
Want to manage your scripts from your phone? Download the Priceline app and send your scripts to us before you arrive.
Sources
This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for personal advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist or you’re worried, talk to your pharmacist or GP. In an emergency, call 000.
Talk to our pharmacists at Pacific Fair
Pop in, no appointment needed. We’re on the ground floor of Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Broadbeach, open 7 days and until 9pm on Thursdays.