World-first technology allows doctors to deliver prescriptions direct to patient's mobiles

Australians will soon be able to receive prescriptions for medicines directly from their doctor to their mobile phone.

The world-first technology, developed by a Sydneysider, will mean patients no longer have to make a trip to their GP surgery every time they need a new script for medicines.

Dr Tal Rapke, a doctor and former pharmaceutical executive, developed the app in response to witnessing people’s frustration over the unnecessary time and fees spent on collecting paper prescriptions.

It will “take the hassle out of managing prescriptions”, he says.

“Sometimes your prescriptions are stuck in the pharmacy. You’ve got to go back to your doctor, you’ve got to pick up this piece of paper, you’ve got move around the landscape, then go to a pharmacy that might be closed.. we thought there must be a better way.”

The app uses blockchain protection and artificial intelligence to ensure patient's personal medical information remains safe and secure.

Tal’s start-up company, Scalamed, has three trial sites, including one in Sydney.

However, it will first be launched in the US next month.

Following a successful accelerator program run by the Texas Medical Centre, the largest medical complex in the world, a Texas company called Next Level Urgent Care will offer the service to its 180,000 patients.

In Australia, a change to existing health legislation to allow for digital prescriptions is expected in October next year, after which Scalamed can launch here.

“If we can bring healthcare to [patient's] phones in a way that’s seamless, easy and intuitive to anyone if you have a smartphone – and most Australians do - we can actually make it really simple for you to manage your health,” Dr Rapke said.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro, who backed the start-up as small business minister with a $25,000 grant via Jobs for NSW, says the app will streamline prescriptions and benefit the state’s economy.

“This is a world-first idea generated out of NSW which aims to revolutionise how patients get their medical prescriptions – from paper to digital – while also helping millions of people manage their medication,” Mr Barilaro said.

“I think in years’ to come we are going to see Scalamed will be something that is global but started here in NSW.”