Medicine Shortage Alerts
Scripty is here to help you navigate medication shortages with ease. Our digital script wallet app makes managing your prescriptions simple and stress-free. With the “Medicine Shortage Alerts” feature, you’ll stay informed about medication supply issues across Australia, so you’re always prepared.
What’s the Deal with Medicine Shortage Alerts?
Sometimes the medications we rely on become harder to find. To help you stay ahead, Scripty, the digital script wallet app flags any national-level medication supply issues, sourced from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Medicines Shortage Reports database. If your script is affected, you’ll see an alert right on your script, making it easier to prepare for pharmacy visits or chats with your doctor.
We highlight these different statuses on your script:
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Short Supply: The medication is currently limited across Australia, but may still be available at some pharmacies. Sometimes, there is an anticipated shortage; for example, it may say something like "Short supply expected from 25/07/2025 to 31/10/2025."
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Discontinued: The medication is no longer being supplied; however, there may still be stock available at some pharmacies until existing supplies are exhausted. Alternatives or generics may be available – chat with your healthcare professional. For example: "Discontinued. Limited supply available until 01/01/2026 or until supply runs out."
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No Supply Issues: "No national medicine shortage reported." This could mean either there was never a supply issue, or that a previously reported shortage has been resolved.
You’ll find these statuses in your script details, along with key dates and important info. Just remember, this is national TGA Medicines Shortage Reports database, so it doesn’t show if your local pharmacy has stock.
Please note: We have simplified the information provided in the Medicines Shortage Reports Database to help you understand the "National Supply Availability" status at a glance. For more detailed information about the impact or underlying causes of any shortage, we recommend visiting the TGA medicine shortage website and its database.
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According to the TGA:
"Medicine sponsors must tell the TGA if there is not enough medicine to supply normal demand in Australia within the next six months. The TGA publishes shortages of prescription and some non-prescription medicines in its medicine shortage reports database. All shortages of critical patient impact are published. Critical patient impact means the shortage may have a life-threatening or serious effect and there is unlikely to be sufficient supply of substitutes. Most shortages of low or medium patient impact are also published. Low or medium impact means there is likely to be sufficient supply of alternative medicines. Some shortages of over-the-counter medicines you use may not be included in the database."
What is displayed in Scripty, the digital script wallet app is meant to give you a quick overview of the National Supply Availability, but if you need comprehensive details, please refer to the TGA’s resources.
Danielle doesn’t stress about medicine shortages anymore
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She remembers how frustrating it was to leave the pharmacy empty-handed, only to find out her medication was out of stock across the country. Now, with advance alerts, she feels more in control and can have better, easier conversations with her doctor.
Be Prepared, Not Panicked
We know it’s stressful when your medication status changes, but there’s no need to panic – or stockpile. Here’s how to keep things simple:
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Check Scripty, the digital script wallet app for Updates – Refresh your Scripty, the digital script wallet app, to see the latest supply info. We use the TGA’s National Medicine Shortage Reports database, so you’re always up-to-date. We’ll provide a link to the TGA's webpage for that medication, so you can access more information.
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Talk to Your Healthcare Professional – If you spot an alert, have a chat with your doctor or pharmacist. They know how to help with alternatives or next steps.
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Stay Cool – Don’t Stockpile – Overordering just makes things trickier for everyone. Even in shortage, a pharmacy might still have what you need.
What’s Next for Medicines Shortage Alerts?
Right now, you’ll see shortage statuses for your prescriptions inside Scripty, the digital script wallet app. But we’re making it even better by adding:
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Push notifications to alert you when your medications go into short supply, out of stock, discontinued, or when the shortage is resolved. Knowing when a shortage is resolved can help you plan ahead, even if you don’t need the medication immediately.
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Custom notification settings so you can choose which alerts you want to receive (shortages only, resolved status, or both) – or turn them off if you’d prefer not to get notified.​
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This feature operates independently and is not a direct integration with the TGA.