PHARMACISTS in Victoria are urging the State Government to provide funding to boost access to Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Dependence (MATOD).
In its 2020/21 pre-Budget submission the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Victorian Branch President, Ben Merchant, called for funding to be provided to support drug rehabilitation.
"Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data suggests 298 people in Victoria lost their lives last year due to opioid induced deaths," he said.
Merchant added close to 14,000 Victorians currently use MATOD programs, but he noted "cost is a significant barrier" to access for many patients.
"While the medicines are free, the cost for safe, witnessed dosing is currently met by the patients," he said.
"This is out of step with other states where these services can be fully government funded.
"We are proposing a co-payment model. The Victorian Government would provide funds for this service in order to reduce out of pocket costs - making access more affordable - while ensuring pharmacists are adequately remunerated and able to offer this important service."
The PSA also called on the Government to establish the role of Victorian Chief Pharmacist, allocate $500,000 to provide mental health first aid training to pharmacists, and to expand the range of vaccines that trained pharmacists can administer in the state.
CLICK HERE to review the PSA's submission in full.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 17 Dec 19
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 17 Dec 19
