Prescription medicines
Find out about prescription medicines and how they are regulated.
A prescription medicine is a medicine that can only be made available to a patient on the written instruction of an authorised health professional. Examples of prescription medicines include blood pressure tablets, cancer medicine and strong painkillers.
All prescription medicines are registered in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) and can be identified by an AUST-R number on the label.
Key information
- For more detailed information on prescription medicines go to Prescription medicines overview.
- For information on obtaining market authorisation go to Supply a prescription medicine.
- For information on manufacture go to Manufacture a medicine.
- Search the Prescription medicines collection (ARGPM)
More information
Latest alerts
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A shortage of Bicillin L-A 1.2 million unit prefilled syringes is anticipated from 20 December 2024 to 10 January 2025. A PBS-listed substitute product is available.
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Pharmacists may dispense alternative brands or strengths without a new prescription.
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Metalyse is now available for use in all clinical settings.
Latest articles
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Product Information safety updates - November 2024
Information for health professionals about medicines with safety related updates to their Product Information. -
TGA and InstantScripts reach settlement
The TGA has settled judicial review proceedings brought by InstantScripts in respect of infringement notices issued to it by the TGA. -
Product Information safety updates - October 2024
Information for health professionals about medicines with safety related updates to their Product Information.
Latest publications
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We commissioned the Health Design Lab to conduct market research to better understand the individual consumer, pharmacist and prescriber experiences of shortages and discontinuations.
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Find out about the AIVC Recommendations for the Composition of Influenza Vaccines for Australia in 2025.
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Advisory Committee on Vaccines meeting statement for meeting 48 held on 1 May 2024.
Open consultations
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Consultation: Medicine shortages and discontinuations - Reportable medicines and timeframes for reporting discontinuations
We are seeking feedback on proposed improvements to TGA’s regulatory framework for medicine shortages and discontinuations in Australia.