38HDispensers to check monitored medicines database before dispensing monitored medicine

### 38H Dispensers to check monitored medicines database before dispensing monitored medicine > [*\[Section 38H of Part III Inserted by No. 21 of 2021, s. 7, Applied:17 Dec 2021\]*](/view/html/inforce/2021-12-17/act-2021-021#GS7@EN) [*\[Section 38H Substituted by No. 23 of 2022, s. 32, Applied:24 Oct 2022\]*](/view/html/inforce/2022-10-24/act-2022-023#GS32@EN) > > > (1)  Subject to [subsection (2)](#GS38H@Gs2@EN) , before a dispenser dispenses a monitored medicine on and in accordance with a prescription to a person, the dispenser must take all reasonable steps to check the monitored medicines database for information in relation to the person. > > > > Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units. > > > (1A)  [*\[Section 38H Subsection (1A) inserted by No. 26 of 2025, s. 8, Applied:16 Feb 2026\]*](/view/html/inforce/2026-02-16/act-2025-026#GS8@Hpa@EN) Subject to [subsection (2)](#GS38H@Gs2@EN) , before a dispenser dispenses a monitored medicine for the use of a person who ordinarily resides in another State or a Territory, on and in accordance with a prescription written or issued by an interstate prescriber, the dispenser must take all reasonable steps to check the relevant interstate database for information in relation to that person. > > > > Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 10 penalty units. > > > (2)  [*\[Section 38H Subsection (2) amended by No. 26 of 2025, s. 8, Applied:16 Feb 2026\]*](/view/html/inforce/2026-02-16/act-2025-026#GS8@Hpb@EN) The regulations may prescribe circumstances in which a dispenser need not comply with [subsection (1)](#GS38H@Gs1@EN) or [(1A)](#GS38H@Gs1A@EN) . > > > (3)  [*\[Section 38H Subsection (3) inserted by No. 26 of 2025, s. 8, Applied:16 Feb 2026\]*](/view/html/inforce/2026-02-16/act-2025-026#GS8@Hpc@EN) In this section – > > > > > ***relevant interstate database***, in relation to a prescription, means the database established under the law of the State or Territory in which the person to whom the prescription relates ordinarily resides, for the purpose of recording information about the supply and prescription of monitored medicines in that State or Territory.