THE ACT Government has committed to implementing real-time prescription monitoring in the next 12 months, according to the Territory's Health and Well-Being Minister, Meegan Fitzharris.
Fitzharris said the ACT had progressed in monitoring the prescription of controlled medicines, with existing software identifying about 1,400 patients between Aug 2016 and May 2017 who were potentially accessing controlled medicines without authority, or obtaining larger quantities than needed.
"The next step is enabling prescribers and pharmacists access to the monitoring system," she said, confirming that more than $700,000 had already been committed to this project.
"Work is under way on the necessary legislative change so it can be in place by March 2019".
However Fitzharris also noted the importance of a nationally consistent approach for real-time monitoring of controlled drugs.
"This year I will chair the COAG health council and personally seek to advance national prescription monitoring," she promised.
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