PHARMACEUTICAL Defence Limited (PDL) has issued an alert to pharmacists around member reports of prescriptions for large quantities of anabolic steroids, such as testosterone injections.

Red flags include directions that may not align with current therapeutic guidelines and an unusual number of repeats, and they are often marked as “regulation 49”.

PDL notes that some of the prescriptions were electronic scripts from a prescriber registered in Munno Para, South Australia, with prescriber number ‘2368799’.

Pharmacists should check the websites of health departments in NSW, Qld and WA, which have provided warnings about the validity of some prescriptions.

While fraudulent electronic prescriptions are rare, PDL reminds pharmacists to apply the same scrutiny and clinical review as for any other prescription.

PDL outlined some red flags for forged scripts (PD 17 Dec 2024), and has encouraged pharmacists to refresh their knowledge on these.

One such warning sign is that forged prescriptions often involve large quantities of high-risk medicines in high doses.

If presented with a prescription, particularly those at high risk of abuse or diversion, PDL urges pharmacists to consider the indication for the medication; the dose and directions with regard to current therapeutic guidelines; patient history; and the appropriateness of the quantity ordered.

Given that anabolic steroids are not recorded on RTPM, PDL also strongly encourages pharmacists to consider consulting a patient’s My Health Record.

See PDL’s forged prescription red flags HERE. KB

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