Pharmacist Substitution of PBS Medicines without a Prescription during Shortages (Serious Scarcity Substitution Instrument)

Page last updated: 16 August 2021

Where a Serious Scarcity Substitution Instrument (SSSI) has been issued by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, community pharmacists can substitute specific medicines without prior approval from the prescriber so long as the permitted circumstances within the SSSI are met. A list of the substitute medicines that are eligible for dispensing as pharmaceutical benefits under these arrangements is available from the PBS website. Only consumers eligible to receive benefits under the PBS will receive subsidised substitute medicines under this change.