What this instrument does
The Therapeutic Goods (Serious Scarcity and Substitutable Medicine) (Diltiazem) Instrument 2026 is a formal legislative instrument registered on 28 September 2026 under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, administered by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. It declares a serious scarcity of Diltiazem, a prescription medicine used to treat heart conditions.
What the instrument permits
The instrument allows pharmacists to dispense a specified alternative medicine in place of Diltiazem without requiring a new prescription from a doctor. The instrument sets out:
- which medicines can be substituted for Diltiazem
- the dose unit equivalence rules that apply to substitution
- the specific and general circumstances under which substitution is permitted
Duration
The instrument contains a section titled Period the instrument is in force. The source does not specify an end date for how long the instrument remains in force. The full instrument at legislation.gov.au/F2026L01305 contains the authoritative detail on duration.
Key actions for pharmacies
The source summary lists the following actions relevant to pharmacy operators:
- Read the full instrument at legislation.gov.au/F2026L01305 to understand exactly which medicines can be substituted for Diltiazem, the dose equivalence rules, and the specific and general permitted circumstances that apply to dispensing decisions.
- Check the Period the instrument is in force section of the instrument to confirm the end date of these substitution permissions.
- Subscribe to alerts for this instrument via the Federal Register of Legislation at legislation.gov.au by using the Set up an alert function on the instrument page to receive notification of any amendments or repeal.
This is a plain-English summary for information only, not legal or compliance advice. Always check the official source or consult a qualified professional.