InstantScripts

InstantScripts: telehealth and online prescriptions in Australia

InstantScripts is an online medical clinic founded in Melbourne in 2018 that provides telehealth services to patients across Australia. The company presents itself as the country's largest online medical clinic and claims to have more than three million Australian patients. It is wholly owned by Wesfarmers, one of Australia's largest business groups.

Remote medical services

The platform allows you to request consultations with Australian-registered doctors through an online form. After the consultation, the patient receives the eScript, medical certificate or referral by email and SMS. Services offered include:

• General medical consultation ($49).
• eScripts for regular medication (from $19).
• Medical certificates (from $19).
• Pathology referrals ($24).
• Referrals to skin, eye and colonoscopy specialists ($24).
• Weight management ($89).
• Mental health, anxiety and depression ($49, with Medicare rebate).
• Menopause and perimenopause ($89).
• Urinary tract infections ($34).
• Skincare: acne, rosacea, psoriasis, fine lines and sun damage ($49).
• Mental health care plans ($49).
• Psychologist consultation through My Mirror ($228).
• Male and female fertility, with referrals to Adora Fertility ($49).
• Quit nicotine ($49).
• Contraception ($19).

The prices shown are those listed on the site at the time of review and may vary. Some services have a Medicare rebate.

Conditions treated

The website lists a wide range of conditions that can be addressed through its services, including cold and flu, mental health, urinary tract infections, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, asthma, weight management, nausea and morning sickness, migraines and headaches. They are also organised alphabetically: acne, allergies, anaphylaxis, anxiety and depression, asthma, blood clots, blood pressure, cholesterol, cold and flu, cold sores, contraception, COPD, COVID-19, depression, diabetes, eczema, erectile dysfunction, eye disease, female fertility, gout, hair loss, hay fever, heartburn and reflux, herpes, irritable bowel syndrome, male fertility, menopause, mental health, migraine and headache, morning after pill, nausea and morning sickness, neurological diseases, pain and inflammation, premature ejaculation, prostate disease, psoriasis, reflux, rosacea, sexually transmitted infections, skincare, sleep disorders, smoking and vaping, thyroid disease, travel infections, urinary incontinence, urinary tract infection and vitamin deficiency.

Medical team and accreditations

InstantScripts works with more than 300 AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) registered and fully insured doctors based in Australia. The company is a CPD provider for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and is registered with the Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA). It also holds LegitScript certification. Dr Sarah Cavanagh serves as Chief Medical Officer.

How the service works

The process begins by requesting a call through an online form in which the patient answers a few questions about their medical needs. One of the doctors on the team gets in touch to discuss the reason for the consultation. Doctors are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, from anywhere in Australia. After the consultation, if an eScript, medical certificate or referral is required, these documents are sent by email and SMS. Prescriptions can be presented at any pharmacy or you can request delivery of the medication to your home; for deliveries, InstantScripts has partnered with EverMed. Once the prescription is approved, a QR code is sent to the patient's mobile phone and email for dispensing.

Requirements and limitations

Anyone of any age in Australia with a Medicare card or IHI number can access telehealth consultations. For online prescriptions, medical certificates, blood tests and specialist referrals, you must be 18 years old or over. Doctors do not prescribe medications from the Schedule 8 or Schedule 4D lists. Issuing prescriptions is at the doctor's discretion, and they may decline if they consider it inappropriate.

Presence and accessibility

The company offers a mobile app available in device app stores. It has a support team based in Australia. InstantScripts also has a help centre and FAQs on its website.