VICTORIA'S real-time prescription monitoring system, SafeScript, is offering pharmacists the opportunity to engage with patients who may be at risk of harm, Chronic Pain Australia President, Jarrod McMaugh says.
The Coburg pharmacist has urged health professionals in Victoria to embrace the system before it becomes a mandatory requirement in Apr 2020, detailing how SafeScript flagged one of his patient's high use of prescription medications.
McMaugh took to social media after the incident to highlight the patient safety benefits of SafeScript.
"Our pharmacy just had a discussion with a person who has 597 alerts since Sep 2018," he said.
"Since 1 Apr, this person has had 15 prescriptions from six practices and seven prescribers.
"In the same time, they have had 18 items dispensed from five pharmacies and eight pharmacists.
"Since 1 Apr, their SafeScript has been accessed nine times. None of the practitioners who have accessed the record appear in the 'dispensed' or 'prescribed' record.
"If you are a prescriber or a pharmacist start using SafeScript now so that you have the appropriate information to make an informed, safe, clinical decision.
"And once you do identify a person who may be a risk of harm from the way they are accessing these medicines don't just turn them away - have a discussion with them that is open and non-judgemental.
"The over-riding thing is not to treat people like they aren't a person...regardless of their motivation, they deserve the best advice and care you can offer them," he said.
McMaugh will be speaking as part of a panel at the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia's annual Victoria and Tasmania medicines update event this weekend.
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