Medical Board of Australia warns start-ups not to look for loopholes

In a one-line statement, Eucalyptus chief executive Tim Doyle said: “We support the guidelines released yesterday and will be complying with them before the end of the transitional period in September.”

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The Medical Board’s guidelines allow a doctor to prescribe without speaking to a patient on the phone or via video if they are the patient’s “usual” doctor or have access to a full clinical history.

Tonkin said that was intended for rare situations where a patient was on a medication that “really shouldn’t be stopped in a hurry” but had forgotten to get a repeat script.

How broadly the rule can be interpreted will likely be determined by the Medical Board if it gets complaints, or by medical insurers who will determine what actions they are willing to cover.

InstantScripts declined to comment, referring to previous remarks by its chief operating officer, Richard Skimin, who said the company would implement the changes but that his firm was already operating safely.

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In general comments responding to Wednesday’s announcement, Mosh chief executive Gabriel Baker said he welcomed the changes to the extent that they ensured high and consistent standards.

But he said the board should have adopted a more nuanced approach, and its changes could deter patients seeking healthcare. “As an industry leader, Mosh is continually reviewing and updating its policies and guidelines and will of course comply with the board’s proposed changes,” Baker said. Medmate was contacted for comment.

Tonkin said the Medical Board had seen a series of problems come out of the sector. Some doctors prescribing online from interstate had failed to comply with local laws in the patient’s state.

Others had prescribed the wrong drug, or the wrong dose. “Sometimes a patient situation has changed and a prescription is given based on the way they were a year ago,” Dr Tonkin said.

“So they’re all a bunch of really potentially quite serious situations that are starting to come to our attention.”

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In a one-line statement, Eucalyptus chief executive Tim Doyle said: “We support the guidelines released yesterday and will be complying with them before the end of the transitional period in September.”

Loading

The Medical Board’s guidelines allow a doctor to prescribe without speaking to a patient on the phone or via video if they are the patient’s “usual” doctor or have access to a full clinical history.

Tonkin said that was intended for rare situations where a patient was on a medication that “really shouldn’t be stopped in a hurry” but had forgotten to get a repeat script.

How broadly the rule can be interpreted will likely be determined by the Medical Board if it gets complaints, or by medical insurers who will determine what actions they are willing to cover.

InstantScripts declined to comment, referring to previous remarks by its chief operating officer, Richard Skimin, who said the company would implement the changes but that his firm was already operating safely.

Loading

In general comments responding to Wednesday’s announcement, Mosh chief executive Gabriel Baker said he welcomed the changes to the extent that they ensured high and consistent standards.

But he said the board should have adopted a more nuanced approach, and its changes could deter patients seeking healthcare. “As an industry leader, Mosh is continually reviewing and updating its policies and guidelines and will of course comply with the board’s proposed changes,” Baker said. Medmate was contacted for comment.

Tonkin said the Medical Board had seen a series of problems come out of the sector. Some doctors prescribing online from interstate had failed to comply with local laws in the patient’s state.

Others had prescribed the wrong drug, or the wrong dose. “Sometimes a patient situation has changed and a prescription is given based on the way they were a year ago,” Dr Tonkin said.

“So they’re all a bunch of really potentially quite serious situations that are starting to come to our attention.”

The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.