Scheduling of drugs is one of the essential elements of the Pharmacy and Poisons Act. It involves classification of drugs into various categories or schedules according to the level at which the drug can be prescribed and dispensed.

Drugs will be scheduled according to the following revised categories and packages must carry indication of appropriate categories in bold letters.

PART I - May only be dispensed by a registered pharmacist.

Schedule I - Prescription Only Medicine (POM) - Prescription from a registered medical practitioner, dentist, or veterinary surgeon is required. Such drugs may be dispensed in limited quantities without prescription only by a registered pharmacist and only in an emergency, where a registered practitioner is not available.

Schedule II - Pharmacy Only Medicines (P) - Prescription from an authorized prescriber is required.

PART II - May be dispensed by pharmacists and other authorised person as listed below.

Schedule III - Drugs in this schedule will be dispensed by a registered pharmacist without a prescription or by a pharmaceutical technologist on prescription from any authorized prescriber.

Schedule IV - Over the Counter Medicines (OTC) - OTC medicines will be sold in authorized outlets without a prescription.