MedsASSIST hits 2 million
August 11, 2016
THE Pharmacy Guild says more
than two million transactions
involving over-the-counter
medicines containing codeine
have already been recorded by
pharmacies participating in the
MedsASSIST real-time recording
and monitoring program.
According to an update issued
yesterday there had been some
43,000 instances of non-supply,
while at the same time maintaining
access for patients with genuine
therapeutic needs.
The Guild said the strong
performance is emerging evidence
“that it is not necessary for the
Government to re-schedule
codeine containing medicines to
Prescription Only”.
“Feedback from pharmacists using
MedsASSIST shows that patients
have been provided with various
follow-up actions/advice and
referrals to their doctors or other
health professionals to assist them
to seek further health in managing
pain and addiction,” the Guild said.
“This highlights the effectiveness
of the program and the
commitment of the pharmacy
community to ensure quality use of
medicines,” the update added.
Currently MedsASSIST requires
informed patient consent, but
to maximise the program’s
effectiveness in harm reduction
and to create consistency, the
Guild argued that the recording
of codeine supply be mandated
nationally.
The Guild said about 65% of
community pharmacies across the
country had used MedsASSIST since
it was rolled out in Mar 2016.
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