VICTORIAN Health Minister Jenny Mikakos last weekend announced the statewide rollout of the SafeScript real-time prescription monitoring system.
The cutting-edge platform was initially launched in Western Vic last Oct, and over the last six months has alerted health professionals at over 400 sites across the region to about 4,500 patients at risk of harm of overdose from visiting multiple clinics or pharmacies.
"Now, more lives will be saved with the system going online for all Victorian doctors and pharmacists," Mikakos said, with the system allowing health professionals to see the prescription history of their patients in real time.
SafeScript monitors all S8 medicines such as morphine and oxycodone, along with other high risk drugs including codeine and diazepam.
A public awareness campaign is also being rolled out across the state to highlight the potential dangers posed by prescription medicines as well as reduce the stigma of dependency.
Guild Vic Branch President, Anthony Tassone, said the Guild had been a long-time proponent of real-time prescription monitoring.
"It is pleasing to see the state-wide rollout of SafeScript so that more doctors and pharmacists can work collaboratively to reduce harm for patients under their care."
He said while there had been recent cases of public disagreements between pharmacy and doctor groups (PD 29 Mar), "when it comes to harm minimisation there is a strong and constructive relationship".
Mikakos is pictured above at the formal announcement with AMA Vic President Julian Rait (left) and Pharmacy Guild of Australia Vic Branch President Anthony Tassone.
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