For 'single supply' prescriptions, i.e. those prescriptions for which only an original supply is specified by the prescriber, the value of this data item should be 0.
For repeat prescriptions, this value should be greater than 0. The value can be less than the number of repeats specified for the prescribed item in the Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits, i.e. it is not necessary to prescribe the listed number of repeats from the Schedule if, in the opinion of the prescriber,a lesser number is sufficient for the patient's needs.
This value can be greater than the listed number of repeats from the Schedule, if the prescriber feels that the number of repeats should be increased. Specification of a higher number of repeats necessitates the completion of an authority prescription form by the prescriber.
The number of authorised prescription repeats should not change over the life of a prescription.
![Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescription—number of authorised prescription repeats, total number N[N] (2024)](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mP8/h8AAvMB+NzmkbcAAAAASUVORK5CYII=)