What is the new medicine scheduling status and how will this affect you?

Medicine scheduling status, from schedule 0 to 6, is given to all registered medicines according to the active ingredient it contains thereby regulating the use of medicines.

The scheduling status of a medicine is determined by and legislated in terms of the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act and is as follows:

• Schedule 0 substances may be purchased over the counter (OTC) without a prescription as well as in supermarkets.
• Schedule 1 substances may only be purchased without a prescription but from a pharmacy allowing you access to the pharmacist’s advice.
• Schedule 2 substances may also be purchased without a prescription from a pharmacist but also allowing you access to the pharmacist’s advice, however are subject to control in terms of dispensing and a schedule 2 register has to be maintained by the pharmacist.
• Schedule 3 – 5 substances may only be purchased from a pharmacy with a valid prescription from a doctor or on verbal instruction from a doctor. A verbal prescription only allows a maximum of 7 days treatment to be dispensed by the pharmacy; thereafter the original prescription must be presented to the pharmacist. A prescription must be presented to the pharmacist for dispensing within 30 days from the date the prescription was prescribed by the doctor. Repeatable prescriptions may not exceed 6 months.
• Schedule 6 substances may only be purchased from a pharmacy with an original written prescription. In the case of an emergency, the pharmacist may supply the patient with the medicine on a verbal instruction from the doctor, however only with a supply for a maximum of 48 hours and must be followed by an original written prescription within 72 hours. Prescriptions are valid for 30 days only and cannot be repeated.