After regulation 15 of the Principal Regulations , the following regulation is inserted in Division 5:

15A.     Electronic prescriptions for narcotic substances

(1)  Where a medical practitioner, veterinary surgeon or dentist is authorised to issue a prescription for a narcotic substance, that prescription may be issued electronically if the Secretary so approves.

(2)  For the purpose of subregulation (1), issuing a prescription electronically includes issuing the prescription by transmitting data electronically without producing a printed copy of that data.

(3)  An approval under subregulation (1) –

(a) is to be in writing signed by the Secretary; and

(b) may be of general or specific application; and

(c) may be made subject to such conditions as the Secretary thinks fit; and

(d) may be amended or revoked by the Secretary by notice in writing.

(4)  The conditions specified in regulation 15(6), with the exception of the condition that a prescription be handwritten in ink, apply to the issuing of a prescription electronically in accordance with an approval under subregulation (1).

(5)  For the purposes of regulation 15(6)(a) as it applies to the issuing of a prescription in accordance with an approval under subregulation (1), a signature includes an electronic signature.