What Prescription Natural Medicine Products Are Available in Australia in 2024?

‍With over 450 prescription natural medicine products available in Australia in 2024, whether you’re an experienced natural medicine patient or are completely new to this method of treatment, it can be difficult to wrap your head around all of the different medications available on the market.

When looking for a natural medicine clinic or a doctor who specialises in prescribing natural medicine, it’s important to know that some clinics or doctors only prescribe a limited range, or sometimes even a specific brand, of medications or natural medicine products. 

When doctors have a choice over what medications they prescribe, it ensures that patients receive appropriate, unbiased, and effective treatments that are best suited to their needs and concerns. 

What Types of Prescription Natural Medicine Products Are Available in Australia?

In Australia, the following types of natural medicine products are currently available and permitted for prescription under the Therapeutic Goods Administration(TGA): 

Dried Herb

Dried herb is the most classic form of prescription natural medicine that is consumed via vaporisation – more on this below. 

Oils 

Oils are liquid extracts that are derived from natural medicine. They can be ingested orally or sublingually. More information on the different ways to consume prescription natural medicine below. 

Wafers

Wafers are small tablet-like medications that are administered sublingually (dissolved under the tongue). 

Capsules 

Capsules are natural medicine products that are enclosed in a capsule and designed to be consumed in oral dosage forms.

Topical Products 

Topical products such as creams and gels are products that are formulated with active ingredients found in prescription natural medicine and are designed to be applied directly to the skin. 

Sprays

Sprays are another form of prescription natural medicine that is designed to be consumed orally. Sprays are intended to provide both precise and controlled dosing of natural medicine. 

Vape Cartridges

Also known as vape carts, vape cartridges are pre-filled cartridges designed for use with a vape pen. 

How Do I Know What Prescription Natural Medicine Product Is Right For Me? 

Because prescription natural medicine works differently for everyone and has different onset, reactions, and response times for each individual, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. 

A doctor at a product-agnostic clinic will work closely with you, evaluating your condition and needs, to determine what natural medicine product will be most effective for you. At a product-agnostic clinic, your doctor can prescribe any legal medications available in Australia for medical purposes.

What Are the Different Ways Prescription Natural Medicine Treatments Can Be Administered? 

Prescription natural medicines can be delivered to the body in a number of different ways, depending on the individual needs of a patient. Each method will impact how the active ingredients are absorbed, distributed, and metabolised around the body differently. 

Five approved methods for the consumption of prescription natural medicine in Australia include: 

Inhalation

Inhalation, including vaping, is the process of heating the dried herb at a high heat and allowing the active ingredients to be released in the form of a vapour, which is then inhaled. 

Smoking dried herb would also fall under this category, however, smoking prescription natural medicine is not a recommended consumption method.

Ingestion 

Ingestion involves the oral consumption of any prescription natural medicine, such as edibles, tinctures, oils, capsules, and extracts. 

Sublingual 

The sublingual method involves placing the treatment, such as a wafer, lozenge, tablet, oil, or spray, under the tongue. This allows for the active ingredients of the prescription natural medicine to be absorbed directly into the vessels of your tongue and bypass the digestive system. 

Topical 

The topical application of prescription natural medicine involves applying the products directly to the skin. The topical method provides localised relief from inflammation, pain, skin irritations, and more. 

It comes in a variety of forms, such as balms, lotions, creams, salves, and patches. 

Suppositories 

Suppositories offer a targeted dose of active ingredients to a localised area that can help to facilitate higher absorption rates in the body. For this method, the prescription natural medicine is provided in a solid form and is inserted into either the rectum or vagina. 

To determine which method of consumption will be most appropriate for you and your therapeutic needs, it is important you have a discussion with a doctor who specialises in natural therapies and prescription natural medicine and has a strong understanding of your condition and symptoms.

What Is a Product-Agnostic Clinic?

A product-agnostic clinic, like Polln, is one that provides recommendations and guidance on all legally available prescription natural medicine treatments. Doctors at product-agnostic clinics have the freedom to prescribe the medication that they think is best for the patient, without being incentivised or restricted to prescribing a certain medication or brand. 

With clinics that are not product-agnostic, patients only have access to a limited range of medications or brands that may not be an appropriate fit.

A product-agnostic clinic will focus on evaluating the patient’s medical history, current condition, and needs, in order to create a completely personalised treatment plan. 

This plan may include various different forms of prescription natural medications from a range of different manufacturers, suppliers, and brands. 

The Importance of Receiving Treatment From a Product-Agnostic Clinic

Your care should be at the forefront of your care provider's mind, and you should have access to bias-free recommendations and products. 

When searching for a natural medicine clinic that’s right for you, we recommend looking for a product-agnostic clinic that provides: 

Unbiased Recommendations 

Clinics that prioritise patient health and well-being over promoting specific products are more likely to deliver unbiased recommendations to their patients. 

Recommendations should be based on the patient’s medical condition, research, and the clinical expertise of the prescribing doctor, rather than financial incentives from specific medicine manufacturers. 

Access to Experts

A 2019 survey of Australian GPs showed that a large portion of Australian doctors felt uneducated about prescription natural medicine access pathways, available natural medicine, and the evidence supporting the prescription of natural medicines and therapies. 

Access to a Wide Range of Products and Brands

At product-agnostic clinics, doctors don’t have vested interests in promoting specific products or brands. This means that you receive unbiased treatment recommendations that are based solely on your needs and enable you to access any prescription natural medicine treatments that are available in Australia. 

Personalised Care Plans and Patient-Centric Care 

No two patients are the same. 

As such, it’s important that your doctor understands that different patients may respond differently to different natural medicine products. A clinic that is product-agnostic will tailor a highly personalised treatment plan that suits your individual needs – not offer you a one-size-fits-all plan or product. 

Evidence-Based Approach to Treatment 

A trustworthy clinic will rely on the latest scientific research and studies to guide their recommendations and prescriptions, not their allegiance with a particular brand or manufacturer. 

Studies show that access to current research, resources, and guides may assist in optimal clinical decision-making and beneficial patient-healthcare practitioner discussions. This approach works to ensure that patients are receiving evidence-based treatments that are more likely to be effective. 

Transparent Pricing

Any reputable clinic should believe in full transparency when it comes to their pricing.