A WIMMERA health group will lead the training and information development of a new prescription drug real-time monitoring system in Victoria.
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Western Victoria Primary Health Network will lead a consortium, comprising all Victorian primary health networks to develop and deliver comprehensive training and education on the system.
The state government announced last week that a real-time prescription monitoring system would be rolled out across the state next year.
Western Victoria Primary Health Network chief executive Leanne Beagley said the group was delighted to lead the important program.
“We will be working with all the other primary health networks as well as key experts in the industry,” she said.
“Prescription drug overdoses are such a problem and this is an opportunity to be part of the solution.”
The monitoring system will include all controlled drugs and a number of high-risk prescription medicines used in conditions such as pain, insomnia and anxiety.
Ms Beagley said more people died from prescription drug overdoses each year than overdoses from illicit drugs.
“The numbers are higher than the road toll,” she said.
“This system will help doctors and pharmacists, who are involved with risky drugs, get all the history and information needed before they make a decision.
“They will be able to see what the patient has been given in the past and can make better decisions about whether to prescribe a drug again.”
Ms Beagley said the system was still being developed.
“A new software system will have to be rolled out before we start training and support,” she said.
“The software will go to more than 1900 medical clinics, 1300 pharmacies and 200 hospitals throughout Victoria.
“We are delighted to be involved and hope to get started as soon as possible.”
Drugs that will be monitored include all schedule four benzodiazepines such as diazepam and Vallium; ‘Z class’ medicine sleeping tablets zolpidem, zopiclone, and anti-psychotic quetiapine.
The system will monitor all schedule eight medicines, such as oxycodone, including brands OxyContin and Endone, morphine, alprazolam, flunitrazepam, methylphenidate including Ritalin and dexamphetamine.
