The Medical Board of Australia chair has warned “it’s just a matter of time” before prescribing based on online checklists causes serious harm or death, unless telehealth companies are reined in.

The board is preparing to release guidelines on online prescribing this week after a five-month consultation, with a focus on doctors who prescribe based on patient questionnaires, without a phone or video consultation.

Board chair Dr Anne Tonkin told Nine Newspapers these “tick and flick” consultations were “very concerning”. 

“People can fill in a form for a drug and have it provided to them without anybody talking to them about what their condition is, what their potential problems with the drug might be and whether they’re getting any side effects,” she said.