NPS blasts opioid expose
September 27, 2010
NPS says it’s “disappointed” in
the ABC’s Four Corners program
last night which highlighted issues
around addiction to oxycodone
medications.
NPS ceo Dr Lynn Weekes said
that while the program focused on
doctor shopping and prescription
fraud in several individuals addicted
to prescription opioids, “it did not
cover the positive work being done
to address this issue.”
The organisation issued a
statement reminding health
professionals of the NPS resources
available to support the prescription
of opioids and options to help
patients manage chronic pain.
The timing of the Four Corners
program is ironic given that NPS
launched a new education program
in June on Opioid use in chronic
pain: use a planned approach.
This module explores ways of
optimising the benefits of opioids
while minimising the harms
asspciated with inappropriate use.
Options suggested include careful
patient selection, clear
communication about the goals of
opioid therapy, careful advice about
proper use and close monitoring.
“Opioids are an option for some
patients with chronic pain, with
their goals being to reduce pain
and to improve function and quality
of life,” said the NPS statement.
“However they should only be
prescribed as part of a comprehensive
pain management plan developed
in consultation with the patient.
“Documenting the plan and
outlining the terms for opioid use
can prevent unsanctioned use and
provide pre-agreed approaches if
the patient experiences repeated
episodes of breakthrough pain,” Dr
Weekes concluded.
She also said that in the case of
non-specific low back pain, a
thorough patient history and
physical examination are critical to
check for potentially serious
underlying conditions.
“Imaging tests are not routinely
recommended and are unlikely to
improve patient outcomes or alter
clinical decision-making”.
MEANWHILE the PSA has also
issued a statement regarding the
Four Corners program, saying the
report turned the spotlight on the
role pharmacists can play in
helping patients responsibly
manage chronic pain, as well as
the need for “appropriate training”
of health care professionals
managing patients with chronic pain.
“Opiod-based medications are
primarily prescribed for the
treatment of chronic pain but all
too often they are regarded as a
stand-alone treatment,” said the
National President of the
Pharmaceutical Society of
Australia, Warwick Plunkett
“The PSA believes that training
pharmacists in the management of
chronic pain is a key and the
Society has been providing training
to its members for some time
through its CPD programs, with
more courses being available next
year,” he added.
Plunkett also called on the
Government to provide funds to
train pharmacists on chronic pain
management, adding that “this is a
problem which the Government
and the health profession need to
address quickly and effectively.”
FURTHERMORE the Pharmacy
Guild of Australia has responded to
the report saying that it highlighted
the benefits of real time recording
of the dispensing of controlled
drugs.
“In the absence of effective use
of current reporting systems, some
individuals are able to ‘doctorshop’
or ‘pharmacy-shop’ to
procure dangerous amounts of
these medicines,” a statement
from the Guild said.
“This is because, in most cases,
a health professional has no way
of knowing what medicines have
been obtained elsewhere,” the
statement added.
According to the Guild it has
already developed technology,
Project STOP, for real time
monitoring of pseudoephedrine
sales, in line with funding provided
as part of the Fifth Community
Pharmacy Agreement.
“This technology has been
extremely useful in the monitoring
of sales of pseudoephedrine, and
in the prevention of its illegal
diversion,” a statement from the
Guild said.
“The Guild believes the Project
STOP technology can be adapted
and applied very effectively to
controlled drugs, in conjunction
with an electronic recording
system,” the statement added.
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