Each State and Territory has its own laws that determine where consumers can buy a particular medicine or poison, and how it is to be packaged and labelled. However, State and Territory Governments classify the vast majority of medicines and poisons in accordance with the Poisons Standard (also known as the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP)) to achieve a uniform national approach to the scheduling of substances and uniform labelling and packaging requirements.
The Poisons Standard contains the decisions of the Secretary to the Department of Health, or a delegate, regarding the classification of medicines and poisons into Schedules.
The implementation of the Poisons Standard, as it affects access to and supply of medicines and poisons, is given legal effect through relevant State and Territory drugs, poisons and controlled substances legislation.
Advice on the interpretation of the Poisons Standard and/or the legal requirements in a particular State or Territory may be obtained from:
Australian Capital Territory
Pharmaceutical Services
Health Protection Service
Locked Bag 5005
WESTON CREEK ACT 2611
- Telephone: 02 5124 9208
- Fax: 02 5124 9309
- Email: hps@act.gov.au
- Website: ACT Health - Pharmaceutical Services
New South Wales
Pharmaceutical Services
NSW Ministry of Health
Locked Mail Bag 2030
ST LEONARDS, NSW 1590
- Enquiry form: Pharmaceutical services - Pharmaceutical services enquiry form
- Fax: 02 9424 5860
- Email: MOH-PharmaceuticalServices@health.nsw.gov.au
- Website: NSW Ministry of Health - Pharmaceutical Services
Northern Territory
Medicines & Poisons Control
Department of Health, Northern Territory
PO Box 40596
CASUARINA NT 0811
- Telephone: 08 8922 7341
- Fax: 08 8922 7200
- Email: poisonscontrol@nt.gov.au
- Website: Environmental health - Medicines and poisons control
Queensland
For medicines
Healthcare Approvals and Regulation Unit
Office of the Chief Medical Officer and Healthcare Regulation Branch
Prevention Division, Department of Health
Locked Bag 21
FORTITUDE VALLEY BC QLD 4006
- Telephone: 07 3708 5264
- Email: HARU@health.qld.gov.au
- Website: Queensland Health – Medicines and Poisons
For poisons
Environmental Hazards Unit
Health Protection Branch
Prevention Division, Department of Health
PO Box 2368
FORTITUDE VALLEY BC QLD 4006
- Telephone: 07 3328 9310
- Fax: 07 3328 9354
- Email: environmentalhazards@health.qld.gov.au
- Website: Queensland Health - Poisons Management
South Australia
Medicines labelling and scheduling
Office of the Chief Pharmacist
Department for Health and Wellbeing
PO Box 287
Rundle Mall
ADELAIDE SA 5000
- Telephone: 08 8204 1944
- Email: Health.OfficeoftheChiefPharmacist@sa.gov.au
- Website: SA Health Medicines and Technology Programs
Poisons labelling and scheduling
Controlled Substances Licensing
Public Health Services
Department for Health and Wellbeing
PO Box 6
Rundle Mall
ADELAIDE SA 5000
- Telephone: 08 8226 7100
- Fax: 08 8226 6681
- Email: HealthControlledSubstances@sa.gov.au
- Website: Controlled substances legislation
Tasmania
Pharmaceutical Services Branch
Department of Health and Human Services, Tasmania
GPO Box 125
HOBART TAS 7001
- Telephone: 03 6166 0400
- Fax: 03 6173 0820
- Website: Tasmania Department of Health and Human Services - Pharmaceutical Services
Victoria
Department of Health
Medicines and Poisons Regulation
PO Box 4057
MELBOURNE VIC 3001
- Enquiry form: Medicines and poisons regulation enquiry form
- Fax: 1300 360 830
- Website: Victorian Government Health Information - Drugs and poisons regulation in Victoria
Western Australia
Medicines and Poisons Regulation Branch
Public and Aboriginal Health Division
Department of Health, Western Australia
PO Box 8172
PERTH BUSINESS CENTRE WA 6849
- Telephone: 08 9222 6883
- Fax: 08 9222 2463
- Website: Western Australia Department of Health - Pharmaceutical Services Branch