Who we are: Therapeutic Vapes Australia is an information and retail business. We are not a pharmacy and we cannot supply therapeutic vapes. Only an Australian registered pharmacy can do that. This is general information, not medical advice.
Do I need a prescription?
Not always. If you are 18 or over and the product contains 20 mg/mL of nicotine or less, a pharmacist can supply after a consultation, without a prescription. You will need a prescription if you are under 18, need a concentration above 20 mg/mL, or have complex medical needs.
What happens above 20 mg/mL?
Above that threshold the pharmacist-only pathway does not apply and you need a prescription from a medical practitioner or nurse practitioner. The maximum permitted nicotine concentration under the current product standards is 50 mg/mL.
Can a pharmacist write the prescription?
No. Pharmacists supply; they do not prescribe. This trips a lot of people up. Under the pharmacist-only pathway there is no prescription involved at all. The pharmacist is making a professional judgement, not writing a script.
How much can I get at once?
Under the pharmacist-only pathway, no more than one month’s supply in any one month. There is no bulk purchasing through this route.
Are these products TGA-approved?
No, and this is worth being clear about. No vaping product for smoking cessation or nicotine dependence is on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods. None has been assessed by the TGA for quality, safety or efficacy. They are supplied as unapproved therapeutic goods, which is why the pharmacist must tell you this and record your informed consent.
Registered nicotine replacement products (patches, gum, lozenges, mouth spray, inhalators) have been assessed. Your pharmacist is required to discuss those with you.
Can I use one prescription at any pharmacy?
Only at pharmacies that choose to participate. Many do not stock therapeutic vapes at all, including several large chains. A prescription does not oblige any pharmacy to supply. Phone ahead.
See also: how the pharmacy pathway works and what happens at the pharmacy.
Sources
- TGA: Vapes: information for individuals and patients
- TGA: Vapes: information for prescribers
- TGA: Product standards for unapproved therapeutic vapes
Last checked: 3 September 2026. This page has not been reviewed by a registered health professional. See our editorial policy.