Vic real-time monitoring
April 26, 2016
THE Victorian government has
announced funding of $30 million
for the implementation of a Real
Time Prescription Monitoring
(RTPM) system.
The measure will be introduced as
part of the 2016-17 state budget,
with the government saying it’s
taking action to reduce the number
of people dying from prescription
drug overdoses.
“A real-time monitoring system
will help our medical clinics,
pharmacies and hospitals better
identify prescription drug seekers
earlier, before their addiction
escalates into serious harm,” said
Vic health minister Jill Hennessy.
The funding will cover Schedule 8
medicines such as oxycodone and
morphine “at a minimum” with the
government also to consult with
professional medical and pharmacy
groups to determine the best way
to include other high-risk medicines
such as diazepam.
As well as rolling out the
new monitoring software, the
government will fund additional
counselling and addiction
treatment services as well as
providing training and support for
doctors and pharmacists.
“Once implemented the system
will allow clinicians at 1900 GP
clinics, 1300 pharmacies and
200 hospitals to do an on-the-spot
check before prescribing
or dispensing medicines that
are at high risk of misuse,” the
announcement stated.
The Guild and the PSA welcomed
the move, saying they looked
forward to continuing to work with
the Vic government and other
health professions and groups “to
see the successful implementation
of this vital RTPM system that will
prevent avoidable prescription drug
overdose deaths”.
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