TasScript - Prescribers and Pharmacists

TasScript is the Tasmanian implementation of the Australian Government’s real-time prescription monitoring (RTPM) system. It allows prescribers and pharmacists to access information about their patient’s prescription history for certain high-risk monitored medicines. This information helps prescribers and pharmacists make better informed clinical decisions and thereby supporting reduction in the incidence of harms, including death, from the injudicious use of high-risk monitored medicines. 

TasScript replaces Australia’s first RTPM system, the Tasmanian DORA system. Unlike DORA, TasScript is a mandatory use system. This means all prescribers and pharmacists must take all reasonable steps to check TasScript before issuing a prescription for or dispensing a high-risk monitored medicine. 

All prescribers and pharmacists who prescribe or supply monitored medicines must register and use TasScript. 

A key difference with DORA for practices and pharmacies is that troubleshooting, setting up, and registering for TasScript is managed by the national RTPM vendor. More information on Registering for TasScript can be found in the TasScript Help Portal.  

For technical support, please contact the TasScript Technical Support Team. They can be reached by email [email protected] or by calling 1800 776 633.

What medicines are monitored through TasScript?

TasScript monitors prescription medicines that are recognised as contributing to the greatest harms to the Tasmanian community. 

Medicines that are monitored in TasScript include:

• all Schedule 8 medicines (eg opioids, benzodiazepines, amfetamines)
• all Schedule 4 opioids (codeine, tramadol, dextropropoxyphene)
• benzodiazepines, such as diazepam
• gabapentin
• olanzapine
• pregabalin
• quetiapine
• ‘Z-drugs’ (zolpidem, zopiclone)

TasScript monitors all prescriptions for these medicines regardless of whether they receive a Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidy or are private, non-PBS prescriptions. 

Who has access to patient records in TasScript?

Prescribers and pharmacists are authorised under Tasmanian legislation to securely access TasScript to view records of all high-risk monitored medicines that have been prescribed or dispensed to patients under their care. This access supports safer decision-making and enhances communication among healthcare providers involved in the patient's care.

Authorised Tasmanian Department of Health staff will also access TasScript as part of their regulatory role in ensuring the safe supply of these medicines in the Tasmanian community.

As a health practitioner when am I permitted to access a patient record in TasScript?

Patient records in TasScript may only be accessed when you are directly involved in the clinical care of the patient, specifically in the context of monitored high-risk medicines.

Only access a patient's record if you can justify this access in your role as their treating registered health practitioner.

You must not delegate this task to another individual, such as a practice manager, practice nurse, or dispensary technician. Prescribers and pharmacists will be held accountable should instances of this be identified following notification or audit.

Some examples of practical circumstances where accessing patient records in TasScript would be legally permitted include:

• When prescribing or supplying a monitored medicine to a patient.
• When reviewing the patient’s medication history as part of a patient consultation (e.g. when a doctor takes a patient history or a pharmacist conducts a medication review).
• When reviewing and considering the patient’s medication history with other registered health practitioners who are involved in that patient’s care.

Do I need to seek patient consent to access patient records in TasScript?

No, prescribers and pharmacists do not need patient consent before accessing TasScript; however, you are encouraged to explain to patients the role RTPM plays in supporting your safe clinical decision-making with high-risk medicines. 

How do I view records from my medical practice or pharmacy?

To save you time, TasScript was designed to be integrated with clinical software systems in Australia. Pop-up notifications appear within seconds of prescribing or dispensing a high-risk monitored medicine to inform you whether there are records in TasScript requiring your review. A click on the pop-up notification takes you securely to the patient's TasScript record via multi-factor authentication. 

All prescribers and pharmacists can also access the TasScript Health Practitioner Portal on their computer or via a tablet or mobile device. 

Information about integrating your clinical software is available in the TasScript Help Portal.

What do the pop-up notifications and alerts in TasScript mean?

A prescriber or pharmacist using integrated clinical software will receive a pop-up notification on their desktop when they are prescribing or dispensing a high-risk monitored medicine. Clicking on the notification will take them securely and directly to the patient record in TasScript.

Notifications can be red, amber or green and are designed to signal to the prescriber or pharmacist if checking the patient’s TasScript record is required.

Red and amber pop-up notifications will be displayed until they are clicked on. Green pop-up notifications do not require any action and will fade away after a few seconds. 

Alerts exist within the TasScript Health Practitioner Portal and indicate a patient's prescribing and/or dispensing history has met certain criteria for high-risk circumstances. Prescribers and pharmacists will be prompted to consider this information as part of their clinical decision-making.

More information on pop-up notifications and alerts can be found on the TasScript Help Portal.

I prefer keeping paper patient files and handwrite prescriptions. How can I access TasScript?

Prescribers who write paper prescriptions can access TasScript at any time through the TasScript Health Practitioner Portal. The portal is available on computer, mobile or tablet devices. 

Handwriting prescriptions for monitored medicines does not remove the mandatory need for a prescriber to check TasScript. 

Are there any situations where TasScript is not mandatory?

Yes. In some circumstances checking TasScript is not mandatory. These include when administering monitored medicines to inpatients physically located in hospitals, emergency departments and residential aged care facilities, as well as palliative care and end-of-life settings. 

Are there penalties for prescribers and pharmacists if they fail to check TasScript?

The Poisons Act 1971 specifies penalties that can be imposed on prescribers and pharmacists if they do not take all reasonable steps to check TasScript when prescribing or dispensing a high-risk medicine. The penalties for failure to comply with this requirement is a fine not exceeding 10 penalty units.

Can patients view their records in TasScript? 

Access to TasScript is restricted to registered eligible health practitioners. Should a patient wish to view their records in TasScript, they can submit a Right to Information request to the Department of Health.

What do I do if there is a suspected error in a TasScript record?

The accuracy of prescribing and dispensing data included in the national RTPM system is highly dependent upon accurate input of information by prescribers and pharmacists. If data is identified that seems inaccurate or missing in TasScript, please contact 1800 776 633 or email [email protected].

What does it mean if a patient record cannot be found in TasScript?

The main reasons why a patient record may not be found are:

• The data entered into clinical practice and pharmacy systems that feed into TasScript may have errors or gaps,
• The patient does not have a high-risk medicine history, or 
• A legal authority to prescribe to that patient has not been submitted by a prescriber. 

If you believe there is inaccurate data or multiple patient records for the same patient, please contact the TasScript Technical Support Team. They can be reached by email [email protected] or by calling 1800 776 633. 

Please provide any key information that may help them understand why this information may be inaccurate or missing.

What training is available to help me use TasScript?

Training and education materials on how to register, access and use TasScript are available on the Department of Health’s Medicines and Poisons Regulation webpage. 

Where can I get further information?

Further information regarding TasScript is available on the Department of Health’s Medicines and Poisons Regulation webpage

Technical enquiries regarding TasScript can be made by calling 1800 776 633 or via email [email protected]

General enquiries regarding TasScript can be made by calling 03 6166 0400 or via email [email protected]