F.A.Q's
How V-Scripts Can Help You
Medical Team & Care Plans
Patients can apply for a prescription by filling out the online medical questionnaire. Our medical team reviews your questionnaire within the same day.
The doctor will get in contact if any clarification is needed. All our doctors are TGA authorized Nicotine Prescribers and are passionate about helping you in your Quit Smoking journey.
How Does It Work?
We know quitting smoking can be challenging, and we’re here to help.
Our system is simple:
1. Apply for a prescription. Our medical team reviews your questionnaire within the same day*. The doctor will get in contact if any clarification is needed.
2. Eligible patients will receive a personalised prescription via email.
Prescriptions include varying strengths to help you wean over time.
3. Once a registered patient, your account is enabled.
Express and registered postage Australia Wide.
Can I book a consultation from anywhere in Australia?
Every Australian State and Territory can access V-Scripts services.
Please note, our doctors are based in Brisbane, and appointment times are set as AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time) on our booking platforms. Keep this in mind when booking from anywhere else in Australia.
Shipping: We can ship your order anywhere in Australia.
States and Territories: QLD, NSW, VIC, SA, TAS, NT, WA, ACT
Can I claim the cost of my products through my private healthcare insurer?
Our treatment is non-PBS medications so depending on your healthcare insurer, you may be able to make a claim. You will need to contact your provider directly.
Do I have to pay before I talk to a doctor?
The prescription fee is charged upon booking however, if you don't qualify for a Nicotine prescription you are entitled to a full refund of the consultation fee. No script no charge!
Does V-Scripts or VAPR dispense Liquid Nicotine?
No. Our doctors can prescribe Nicotine Vaping Products to eligible customers that can be dispensedthrough our partner pharmacy Quit RX via private link.All products are compliant with Therapeutic Goods Administration TGO 110 and stocked in Australia.
Your Prescription
How long is my prescription valid for?
Your prescription will be valid for 12 months from the date of issuing.
I already have a script, can I fill it with this pharmacy?
Yes, you will need to obtain an e-script from your doctors and get in contact with us in order to access the pharmacy section.
My doctor has approved my prescription, what’s next?
We can direct you to our partner pharmacy where you will be given access to purchase your products.
Who qualifies for a prescription?
In Australia, people require a prescription for all purchases of nicotine vaping products, such as nicotine e-cigarettes, nicotine pods, and liquid nicotine.
Nicotine vaping products can be prescribed to patients who have not succeded in quitting smoking with a first-line therapy (Champix, nicotine patches or nicotine gums) and should only be used when other measures have failed.
During the consultation, our doctors will go through your goals and requirements and will provide unbiased advice on the best therapy that will help you succeed.
The legal age requirement to obtain a prescription for Nicotine Vaping Products is 18 years old however, V-Scripts does not encourage vaping as a habit for young people. Our doctors will assess each patient's needs and requirements and will advise the most suitable solution including other Nicotine Replacement Therapies and other cessaion methods.
Can I have a higher/lower dosage if my treatment plan is not working?
If you feel that the dosage prescribed during the original consultation is not working well with your cravings, we encourage you to contact us to organize a conversation with our doctors.
QUIT Smoking For Good!
What are the risks of smoking?
Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death and disease in Australia. Tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including at least 69 known carcinogens.
Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body, causing many diseases and reducing the health of smokers in general.
Tobacco use is responsible for a global pandemic of death and disease, causing one in 10 deaths worldwide from both direct tobacco use and exposure to
second-hand smoke.
Why Is It So Hard To Quit Smoking?
Nicotine is an addictive substance that makes quitting smoking very challenging. That is why most attempt to quit smoking "cold-turkey" and without support fail.
A 2019 survey showed that 8 million Australians smoke, with 81% of smokers having made a quit attempt. Whilst statistics show a very high level of quitting activity among smokers, the rate of successful quitting is low because of the high relapse rate, with 40% of smokers making more than 3 attempts to quit.
I Only Smoke A Few Ciggies A Week, Is That Bad?
While the less you smoke the better, light smoking and social smoking still increase the risks of heart disease, lung cancer, cataract, and other conditions.
When it comes to quitting smoking for good, everyone is different. Some light and intermittent smokers may have an easier time quitting than heavy smokers, while others find it just as difficult.
What Are The benifits Of Quitting Smoking?
A substantial body of research has established that quitting smoking has immediate as well as long-term health benefits for men and women of all ages, reducing risks for diseases caused by smoking and improving health in general.
Within a few months of quitting smoking, the cilia in the lungs and airways improve at sweeping mucus and debris from the lungs (as long as irreversible damage has not taken place). Lung function improves and the presence and severity of respiratory symptoms reduce.
When Is A Good Time To Quit Smoking?
There is no better time to quit smoking than today!
You are never too young or too old to quit smoking. Quitting smoking has immediate as well as long-term health benefits for men and women of all ages, reducing risks for diseases caused by smoking and improving health in general.
Within a few months of quitting smoking, the cilia in the lungs and airways improve at sweeping mucus and debris from the lungs (as long as irreversible damage has not taken place). Lung function improves and the presence and severity of respiratory symptoms reduce.
Quitting smoking even at age 60, 70, or beyond will have many health benefits and improve your quality of life and expectancy.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
What is Nicotine Replacement Therapy, and how does it work?
Other than the addiction to the habit of smoking, cigarettes lead to actual physical dependence, which is why most quitting attempts fail. However, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can be an effective approach to quitting smoking by providing former smokers with a controlled dose of nicotine without the harmful chemicals contained in cigarettes. These methods allow people to break the smoking habits first and then gradually wean off the nicotine completely. Many studies have shown that using NRT can nearly double the chances of quitting smoking.
What treatment options are available to quit smoking?
Non-prescription:
- Patches
- Gum
- Oral sprays
- Lozenges
- Counselling
- Hypnotherapy
- Acupuncture
Prescription only:
- Pharmacotherapy
- Nicotine vaping products*
*There are currently no nicotine vaping products approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and registered in Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). Medicines that are not in the ARTG are known as 'unapproved' medicines.Unapproved therapeutic goods have not been evaluated for quality, safety, efficacy or performance.
Non-Prescription Prescription Nicotine Replacement Therapy
First-line treatments for quitting smoking refer
to regulated approaches and pharmacotherapies clinically proven to be effective.
Current forms of first-line treatments supported
by the RACGP include some nicotine replacement therapy options,
pharmacotherapy, and counselling support.
First-line NRTs include lozenges, patches,
inhalators, mouth sprays and gums and are considered appropriate for most
people.
Some of these treatments are available for
purchase without a prescription from pharmacies and grocery stores.
A combination of longer-acting NRT (patches)
with faster-acting formats (lozenges, gum, sprays) is recommended as a
first-line treatment to quit smoking.
Prescription Nicotine Replacement Therapy
To help you quit smoking, you should consider first-line nicotine replacement therapies such as patches or gum. However, should you find that these treatment options are ineffective or unsuitable for your needs, your doctor may consider prescribing pharmacotherapy or nicotine vaping products as part of your treatment plan to help you quit smoking.
Is Nicotine addictive?
Yes, nicotine is an addictive substance, and when a person smokes tobacco, many parts of the body get used to having nicotine in them. When first quitting, the body goes into withdrawal, making the quitting process challenging to manage with willpower alone. If you choose to quit smoking with Nicotine Replacement Therapy you should aim to gradually reduce and aim to be completely nicotine free.
Is vaping nicotine legal in Australia?
Yes, vaping nicotine is legal in Australia however only pharmacies can dispense nicotine vaping to patients with a prescription, it is illegal for any other Australian retailers, including vape stores, to sell nicotine vaping products.
Vape stores will still be able to sell flavours and non-nicotine vaping products, including devices.
Is vaping a safe way to quit smoking?
While vaping is considered a safer alternative to smoking, it still involves certain risks. Even with a 95% harm reduction compared with smoking tobacco.
Vaping is a relatively new technology, and scientists are still monitoring the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes and vaping products.
Inhaling nicotine from a solution rather than by burning tobacco produces less harmful substances than cigarette smoke, however, it's important for people to know that there are risks associated with inhaling some of the active ingredients used in nicotine products such as flavouring. TGO 110 sets out several requirements relating to the ingredients used in nicotine vaping products, that's why it's important to source your products from a trusted source.
This is why we don't encourage patients to adopt vaping as a long-term habit but use it as a tool to assist with your quit smoking journey. By gradually reducing your nicotine intake, the therapy allows your body to overcome the cravings and withdrawal symptoms until you are ready to quit once and for all, and minimize the chance of relapsing.
What are the penalties for importing and possessing Nicotine Vaping Products without a prescription?
There are severe penalties for importing or possessing nicotine liquid without a prescription, including fines of over$10,000 in some states, or even prison time.
What's the difference between Nicotine Salt and Freebase?
Nicotine freebase is the purest form and original form of nicotine. For a long time, freebase nicotine was the only nicotine available for vaping, however, it can be very harsh inhaled in high doses.
Salt nicotine allows a much smoother draw due to the addition of benzoic acid. Benzoic acid lowers the PH level of the mix bringing it closer to neutral and making it more comfortable to inhale.
Nic Salt absorbs faster into our bodies allowing to use higher nicotine strengths without the rough throat hit.
How do I safely handle Nicotine Concentrate?
In Australia, liquid nicotine for DIY mixing is classified as a schedule 7 poison. This is because liquid nicotine can be highly toxic in its concentrated form and needs to be handled with due care.
You should treat nicotine as you would treat any other dangerous chemical, including:
- Wearing gloves
- Eye protection
- Working in a well-ventilated area
- Make sure that your work area is tidy and distraction-free.