THE Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has launched its new Codeine Information Hub providing information for consumers, pharmacists, pharmacy assistants and prescribers, including those in rural and remote areas.
With 01 Feb regulation changes looming, the TGA has prepared a useful set of data for each stakeholder, with special emphasis on the role of the pharmacist in counselling patients about the upcoming changes.
Recommendations around language use include framing conversations about the new restrictions on codeine access "as protecting them from opioid-related harms".
There are tips on open-ended questions, managing expectations, establishing the possibility of substance use disorder, chronic versus acute pain issues and more, each with sample responses that can be tailored to the situation.
The TGA recommends "empathy and validation" with clearly-set boundaries - visit tga.gov.au.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 12 Sep 17
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