Overview
The PBS Authority module is a feature within the MBS Pro GP Clinical Copilot. It lives in the “companion window” — a small, movable panel that sits on top of Best Practice (or your other clinical software) on the right-hand side of your screen. From the companion window you can start a scribe, review codes, and process PBS authority requests.
This guide covers how to complete a PBS authority using the Best Practice (BP) integration, which pre-fills patient and prescriber details for you. The same process applies to any authority code (e.g. reflux medications, ADHD medications, opioids) — only the restriction codes and questions asked will differ depending on the medication selected.
Before You Start
Make sure you have the following ready:
Best Practice (or MD, or your clinical software) open, with the companion window active.
The authority number for the prescription, obtained from Best Practice/MD or your prescribing software.
Patient details and prescriber number — these are pre-filled automatically when using the BP integration.
Note: The BP integration is generally faster than logging into PRODA directly, and is less likely to log you out mid-session, which also makes repeat use quicker.
Step-by-Step: Completing a PBS Authority
Open the companion window on the right-hand side of your screen (this sits on top of Best Practice and can be moved around as needed).
Go to the PBS Authority module within the GP Clinical Copilot.
Enter the authority number, which you grab from Best Practice, MD, or whichever clinical software you are using.
Confirm the patient details — with the BP integration, these are pre-filled automatically.
Confirm the prescriber number — this is also pre-filled automatically via the BP integration.
Search for and select the medication you are prescribing (e.g. Nexium 40mg, Vyvanse, or an opioid such as Norspan).
Select the appropriate restriction code for the indication (e.g. reflux, ADHD, pain, palliative care).
Answer the questions that appear — these will vary depending on the restriction code selected (see examples below).
Click Agree once you have answered the required questions.
Click Submit Authority.
Copy the authority code that is generated and paste it into the relevant section in Best Practice.
Note: The whole process typically takes around 10–15 seconds once you're familiar with it.
Worked Examples
Example 1 — Reflux medication (Nexium 40mg)
Select the medication: Nexium 40mg.
Select the restriction code for the indication: reflux.
Answer the prompted question — e.g. confirm it is for inadequate control (answer Yes if applicable).
Click Agree, then Submit Authority.
Copy the resulting authority code into Best Practice.
Example 2 — ADHD medication (Vyvanse)
Select the medication: Vyvanse.
Select the restriction code: ADHD.
Answer the standard ADHD medication questions as prompted.
Click Agree, then Submit Authority.
Copy the resulting authority code into Best Practice.
Example 3 — Opioid medication (e.g. Norspan)
Select the medication: Norspan (or other opioid).
Select the restriction code — e.g. pain, as distinct from palliative care.
Answer the questions relevant to the restriction selected.
Click Agree, then Submit Authority.
Copy the resulting authority code into Best Practice.
Clearing the Form for a New Authority
Use the Clear All / Refresh option in the companion window to reset the form.
Begin again from Step 3 above (enter the next authority number) for a new patient or medication.
Key Reminders
Always double-check the prescriber details and patient details are correct before submitting, even though they are pre-filled.
Restriction codes and questions differ by medication and indication — read each question carefully rather than assuming it matches a previous authority.
The module works for any PBS authority code, not just the examples shown here.
Using the BP integration is generally quicker than logging into Proto directly, and tends to stay logged in for longer.