14Authority required procedures — authorisation of paragraph 10 (1) (a) prescription

14 Authority required procedures — authorisation of paragraph 10 (1) (a) prescription

(1) A prescription submitted in accordance with paragraph 13 (1) (a) may be authorised by the Chief Executive Medicare:

(a) signing his or her authorisation on the prescription; and

(b) either:

(i) if the Chief Executive Medicare requires the eligible medical practitioner to alter the prescription — returning it to the eligible medical practitioner for alteration before the eligible medical practitioner gives it to the person in respect of whom it was prepared; or

(ii) in any other case:

(A) returning the authorised prescription to the eligible medical practitioner; or

(B) sending it to the person in respect of whom it was prepared.

(2) A prescription submitted in accordance with paragraph 13 (1) (b) may be authorised by the Chief Executive Medicare telling the eligible medical practitioner by telephone, at the time the Chief Executive Medicare is given details of the prescription, that the prescription is authorised.

(3) A prescription submitted in accordance with paragraph 13 (1) (d) may be authorised by the Chief Executive Medicare sending his or her authorisation by electronic communication, to the eligible medical practitioner.

(4) If the Chief Executive Medicare authorises a prescription under subsection (2) or (3):

(a) the Chief Executive Medicare must tell the eligible medical practitioner by telephone or by electronic communication the number given by the CEO to the prescription; and

(b) the eligible medical practitioner must:

(i) mark that number on the prescription; and

(ii) retain a copy of the prescription for 1 year from the date the prescription was authorised.

(5) A prescription submitted in accordance with paragraph 13 (1) (c) is taken to have been authorised by the Chief Executive Medicare if the eligible medical practitioner completes the prescription in accordance with the instructions given in the emergency telephone message.