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Electronic Prescribing – An overview of Active Script List

Published 10 May 2021

With the introduction of electronic prescribing across Australia, a solution is currently being created for people who want their electronic prescriptions combined into one list.

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The Active Script List (ASL) will provide a list of all active prescriptions and repeats available to dispense, which will eliminate a consumers need to keep track of digital tokens in the form of SMS or emails from doctors or pharmacists. This approach is particularly useful for patients who manage multiple medications. 

While electronic prescriptions are not compulsory to use, including ASL, it will provide consumers, prescribers, and dispensers with multiple benefits which include:  

  • a reduction in prescribing and dispensing errors  
  • assisting in medication management and adherence 
  • a shared view of prescriptions available for dispense 
  • reduced likelihood of patients losing prescriptions 
  • reduced risk in prescription duplication 
  • allowing the patient to decide where and how they have their prescriptions dispensed. 

The Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) provides helpful factsheets which give an overview of electronic prescribing for prescribers and dispensers, which includes how tokens and Active Script List work.   

Electronic prescription factsheets


The ADHA have also created a short video which includes other perspectives from healthcare providers about the benefits and insights of electronic prescriptions, including ASL. To view the video, visit: https://youtu.be/3nCXHneBexc

Last updated: 24 February 2022