The issue of pharmaceutical misuse has been identified across Australia as an emerging problem of significant concern. In response a National Pharmaceutical Drug Misuse Strategy (NPDMS) is being developed by a consortium led by the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA) at Flinders University. It is being developed at the request of the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy (MCDS) and is being funded through the MCDS Cost Shared Funding Model. The project is being overseen by the Victorian Department of Health.
The Strategy will cover both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Priority will be given to the drugs that cause the most harm.
Closing date for Submissions: Friday 27 May 2011
NCETA would like to invite interested parties to submit their views on the issue of pharmaceutical drug misuse.
DANA will be making a submission and would like to invite contributions from DANA members.
A Discussion Paper has been developed to provide background contextual information and to inform and guide the national consultation process. A copy of the background Discussion Paper, and a detailed literature review, are downloadable from this link.
Should you wish to participate in this submission please use the “speak your mind” option below to leave your comment or alternatively email comments by May 1st 2011 to [email protected]
I would sugget to consider that GP could prescribe Suboxone in an minimal restricted setting to OTC codeine users (with no history of IVDU) given good response to BUP – NIDA study regards prescription opioid and treatment benefits over Methadone should be soon avalialbe.
Thank you Marianne
I answered your email before getting to your comment. You are the first to respond and I look forward to gathering more opinions.
Best wishes
Colleen Blums
Queensland DANA Representative
I think GP’S should be held accountable for what they prescribe, most prescribe opiate based pain killers with out reviewing the patient, repeat after repeat is prescribed from day one of the patient complaining of ‘Back pain’ They dont try the less addictive route first and never think of short term opiate prescribing. They should have to notify an ‘authorised body’ if a patient needs opiates for more than 2 weeks, and it ahould be compulsory for a GP to check with this authority to make sure this patient is not ‘doctor shopping’. A GP found to be prescribing for longer than 2 weeks should be strongly advised to change prescribing habits. It works I have seen this in action.
Hi Judy
Thank you for your contribution to the DANA response to this call for submissions. The opinions that you have expressed will be reflected in the final document.
There is a significant problem with private prescribing. Although this should be reported to the DPU in Victoria, there is no way for authorities to check if the prescriber has a permit. It should not be possible for S8’s to be privately prescribed.
There is a lack of resources for the DPU to follow up problem-prescribing, meaning that they only investigate the worst, and many prescribers obtain permits that should be further challenged. Increasing the DPU’s (and PBS) ability to monitor and act on high levels of opiate prescribing would prevent many harms from excessive opiate prescribing.
Hello Lisa
Unfortunately we are unable to include your specific comments in the DANA response to the NPDMS as it has already already been submitted to NCETA.
However the issues that you have written about have been generally covered in the document submitted. We look forward to hearing the outcome of this initiative. Thank you for your input.