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  • SAFESCRIPT
    Quality management of high risk medicines
ABOUT SAFESCRIPT
TRAINING
HEALTHPATHWAYS
RESOURCES
CONTACTS

ABOUT SAFESCRIPT

The Victorian Government’s SafeScript real-time prescription monitoring initiative is focused on reducing the misuse and growing harms from high-risk prescription medicines.

This is a positive move to address the number of deaths from prescription medicines which is a major public health concern.

SafeScript allows prescription records for high-risk medicines to be centrally captured and transmitted in real-time to its database which can then be accessed by prescribers and pharmacists during a consultation.

SafeScript is for use in primary care as it is in this setting that patients are supplied high-risk medicines which are open to misuse when taken unsupervised in their homes.

This clinical tool is to assist in safer prescribing and dispensing decisions to facilitate the early identification, treatment and support for patients who have or at risk of developing dependence.

The system monitors prescription medicines that are causing the greatest harm to the Victorian community.  These include all Schedule 8 medicines, such as oxycodone (brand names include OxyContin and Endone), morphine (brand names include Kapanol and MS Contin), alprazolam (brand names include Xanax and Kalma), methylphenidate (brand names include Ritalin) and dexamphetamine and some Schedule 4 medicines including all benzodiazepines (brand names include Valium), ‘Z-drugs” such as zolpidem and zopiclone (brand names include Stilnox and Imovane), quetiapine (brand names include Seroquel) and products containing codeine (brand names include Nurofen Plus, Mersyndol and Panadeine).

Information is available at

  • DHHS SafeScript website
  • Registration for health professionals.
  • Setting up SafeScript
  • Medicines monitored in SafeScript
  • Medicines and Poisons Regulation

SafeScript FAQs

  • For patients and families
  • For prescribers and pharmacists
  • For hospitals

TRAINING

 Videos on SafeScript are available here

Online sessions

3 online modules

Safescript online modules have been developed in collaboration with NPS MedicineWise, to access this training click here 

  • Module 1 – The SafeScript System – what, when and how? – Available now
  • Module 2 – High-risk medicines and clinical practice – for prescribers – Available now
  • Module 2 – High-risk medicines and clinical practice – for pharmacists – Available now
  • Module 3 – Having challenging conversations – high-risk medicines, dependence and your patient – Available now

Duration – up to 60 mins per module

Training access is open to all health professionals across Victoria;  requires registration on the NPS MedicineWise website

New arrangements for SafeScript training 2020

Due to impact of COVID-19 the 2020 SafeScript training sessions have all been changed to live stream/webinar sessions.  General Practitioners and Pharmacists across Victoria are welcome to register for the last two sessions:

  • Tuesday 31st March – 6.30pm. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/live-stream-safescript-training-for-victoria-tuesday-31-march-tickets-100589497896
  • NEW ADDED SESSION Thursday 2nd April – 7.30pm.  Register here https://westvicphn.com.au/events-education/upcoming-events/safescript-training-april-2-2020/

HEALTHPATHWAYS & REFERRAL PAGES

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REFERENCES AND RESOURCES

The following references were used in the online modules and are listed here for your convenience.

Access the slides from the Face-to-Face training sessions here

Module 1 - References and Resources

Module 1 - References List

  • Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Prescribing drugs of dependence in general practice Part A – Clinical governance framework. Melbourne: 2015. Link (accessed 31 May 2018).
  • World Health Organization (WHO). Management of substance abuse – Dependence syndrome., 2018. Link (accessed 31 May 2018).
  • Monheit B, Pietrzak D, Hocking S. Prescription drug abuse – A timely update. Aust Fam Physician 2016;45:862-6. Link
  • Currow D, Phillips J, Clark K. Using opioids in general practice for chronic non-cancer pain: an overview of current evidence. MJA 2016;204:305-9. Link
  • NPS MedicineWise. Benzodiazepine dependence: reduce the risk. 2015. Link (accessed 31 May 2018).
  • Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Prescribing drugs of dependence in general practice. Part B: Benzodiazepines. East Melbourne: RACGP, 2015. Link (accessed 29 September 2017).
  • Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. National Drug Strategy household survey 2016: Detailed findings. Canberra: AIHW, 2017. Link (accessed 27 February 2018).
  • Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Non-medical use of pharmaceuticals: Trends, harms and treatment 2006–07 to 2015–16. Canberra: AIHW, 2017. Link (accessed 31 May 2018).
  • Victoria State Government. SafeScript frequently asked questions for health professionals. Victoria State Government, 2018. LINK (accessed 30 July 2018).
  • Austin Health. Evidence to inform the inclusion of Schedule 4 prescription medications on a real-time prescription monitoring system. 2017. Link (accessed 30 July 2018).
  • Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Electronic transfer of prescriptions (eTP). Link (accessed 19 June 2018).
  • Gwira Baumblatt JA, Wiedeman C, Dunn JR et al.High-Risk Use by Patients Prescribed Opioids for Pain and Its Role in Overdose Deaths. JAMA Intern Med. 2014;174(5):796-801.  Link
  • Dasgupta N, Funk MJ, Proescholdbell S, et al. Cohort study of the impact of high-dose opioid analgesics on overdose Mortality. Pain Med 2016;17:85-98. Link

Module 2 - Pharmacists References and Resources

Module 2 - Pharmacists Reference List

  • Brett J. Concerns about quetiapine. Aust Prescr 2015;38:188-90. Link.
  • Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Prescribing drugs of dependence in general practice, Part A: Clinical Governance Framework. East Melbourne: RACGP, 2015, Link (accessed 29 September 2017).
  • World Health Organization. Dependence syndrome. WHO, 2018. Link (accessed 15 February 2018).
  • White JT, D. Drug-seeking behaviour. Aust Prescr 1997;20. Link.
  • Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. Dispensing practice guidelines. 2017, Link (accessed 12 January 2018).
  • Victoria State Government. Medicines control for pharmacists. 2017. Link (accessed 15 January 2018).
  • Victoria State Government. Drugs, poisons and controlled substances regulation 2017. 2017. Link (accessed 9 March 2018).
  • Department of Health and Human Services. Pharmacists: Key legislative requirements in Victoria. Victoria State Government, 2017. Link (accessed 13 March 2018).
  • Department of Health and Human Services and NPS MedicineWise. How to use opioid medicines safely.  Victoria State Government, 2016. Link (accessed 7 August 2018)
  • Pharmacy Board of Australia. Guidelines for dispensing of medicines. 2015, Link (accessed 11 January 2017).
  • Victoria State Government. Drugs, poisons and controlled substances amendment (Real-time prescription monitoring) Act 2017. 2017. Link (accessed 18 January 2018).
  • James J. Dealing with drug-seeking behaviour. Aust Prescr 2016;39:96-100. Link.
  • Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement (6CPA). Pharmacy practice incentives: Staged Supply – basics factsheet. 2017. Link (accessed 27 December 2017).
  • Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement (6CPA). Staged supply. 2018. Link (accessed 18 March 2018).
  • Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Ltd. Guidelines for pharmacists providing staged supply services. PSA, 2017. Link (accessed 27 December 2017).
  • Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Prescribing drugs of dependence in general practice, Part C1: Opioids. East Melbourne: RACGP, 2017, Link (accessed 3 January 2018).
  • Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Prescribing drugs of dependence in general practice, Part B: Benzodiazepines. East Melbourne: RACGP, 2015, Link (accessed 29 September 2017).
  • Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Prescribing drugs of dependence in general practice, Part C2: The role of opioids in pain management. East Melbourne: RACGP, 2017, Link (accessed 3 January 2018).
  • Department of Health and Human Services and NPS MedicineWise. Recommendations for deprescribing or tapering opioids. Victoria State Government, 2016. Link (accessed 12 March 2018).
  • Gowing L, Ali R, Dunlop A, et al. National guidelines for medication-assisted treatment of opioid dependence. Commonwealth of Australia, National Drug Strategy, 2014, Link (accessed 3 January 2018).
  • Victoria State Government. Pharmacotherapy (opioid replacement therapy). 2017. Link (accessed 15 January 2018).
  • Department of Health and Human Services. Policy for maintenance pharmacotherapy for opioid dependence. Victoria State Government, 2016. Link (accessed 12 March 2018).
  • Schuckit MA. Treatment of Opioid-Use Disorders. N Engl J Med 2016;375:357-68. Link.
  • HealthPathways Western Victoria. Anxiety and depression in adults. 2017. Link (accessed 8 January 2018).
  • HealthPathways Western Victoria. Chronic pain. 2017. Link (accessed 8 January 2018).
  • Therapeutic Guidelines. Chronic pain: nonpharmacological management. East Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Ltd 2017. Link (accessed 9 October 2017).
  • Johnson M, Martinson M. Efficacy of electrical nerve stimulation for chronic musculoskeletal pain: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Pain 2007;130:157-65. Link(accessed 7 August 2018)
  • Australian and New Zealand clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of panic disorder and agoraphobia. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2003;37:641-56. Link.
  • Black Dog Institute. Treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder. 2017. Link (accessed 25 May 2018).
  • Johnson C, Blair-West S. Obsessive-compulsive disorder The role of the GP. Aust FamPhys 2013;42:606-9. Link.
  • Better Health Channel. Managing and treating anxiety. Victoria State Government, 2017. Link (accessed 12 March 2018).
  • Mitchell MD, Gehrman P, Perlis M, et al. Comparative effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia: a systematic review. BMC Family Practice 2012;13:40-. Link.
  • Therapeutic Guidelines. Chronic pain: Pharmacological management. East Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Ltd 2017. Link (accessed 9 October 2017).
  • HealthPathways Western Victoria. Medications in chronic pain. 2017. Link (accessed 8 January 2018).
  • Krebs EE, Gravely A, Nugent S, et al. Effect of Opioid vs Nonopioid Medications on Pain-Related Function in Patients With Chronic Back Pain or Hip or Knee Osteoarthritis Pain: The SPACE Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 2018;319:872-82. Link.
  • Department of Health and Human Services and NPS MedicineWise. Safe prescribing and supply of opioid medicines – for health professionals. Victoria State Government, 2016. Link (accessed 12 March 2018).
  • White PF. What are the advantages of non-opioid analgesic techniques in the management of acute and chronic pain? Expert Opin Pharmaco 2017;18:329-33. Link.
  • HealthPathways Western Victoria. Anxiety and depression medications. 2017. Link (accessed 8 January 2018).
  • Therapeutic Guidelines. Anxiety and associated disorders. East Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Ltd 2017. Link (accessed 8 January 2018).
  • American Geriatrics Society. American Geriatrics Society 2015 Updated Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 2015;63:2227-46. Link.
  • Therapeutic Guidelines. Insomnia, parasomnias and jet lag. East Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Ltd 2017. Link (accessed 8 January 2018).
  • Australian Medicines Handbook. Adelaide: AMH 2017. Link (accessed 18 January 2018).
  • Therapeutic Goods Administration. CIRCADIN melatonin 2mg prolonged release blister pack. 2009, Link (accessed 8 March 2018).
  • Olson LG. Hypnotic hazards: adverse effects of zolpidem and other z-drugs. Aust Prescr 2008;31:146-9. Link.
  • Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia. Benzodiazepines: Information for GPs. Department for Health and Ageing, Government of South Australia, 2014. Link (accessed 10 January 2018).

Module 2 - Prescribers References and Resources

Module 2 - Prescribers Reference List

  • Brett J. Concerns about quetiapine. Aust Prescr 2015;38:188-90. Link
  • Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Prescribing drugs of dependence in general practice, Part A: Clinical Governance Framework. East Melbourne: RACGP, 2015. Link (accessed 29 September 2017).
  • World Health Organization. Dependence syndrome. WHO, 2018. Link (accessed 15 February 2018).
  • James J. Dealing with drug-seeking behaviour. Aust Prescr 2016;39:96-100. Link
  • Therapeutic Guidelines. Alcohol and other drug problems – Benzodiazepines, zolpidem and zopiclone: problem use. East Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Ltd 2017. Link (accessed 2 January 2018).
  • Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Prescribing drugs of dependence in general practice, Part C1: Opioids. East Melbourne: RACGP, 2017. Link (accessed 3 January 2018).
  • HealthPathways Western Victoria. Medications in chronic pain. 2017. Link (accessed 8 January 2018).
  • Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Prescribing drugs of dependence in general practice, Part B: Benzodiazepines. East Melbourne: RACGP, 2015. Link (accessed 29 September 2017).
  • Victoria State Government. Schedule 8 permits and notifications. Link (accessed 7 August 2018)
  • Victoria State Government. Drugs, poisons and controlled substances regulation 2017. 2017. Link (accessed 9 March 2018).
  • Kirsh K, Passik S. Managing drug abuse, addiction and diversion in chronic pain. Medscape, 2005. Link (accessed 23 November 2017).
  • Shah A, Hayes CJ, Martin BC. Characteristics of Initial Prescription Episodes and Likelihood of Long-Term Opioid Use – United States, 2006-2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2017;66:265-9. Link
  • Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Prescribing drugs of dependence in general practice, Part C2: The role of opioids in pain management. East Melbourne: RACGP, 2017. Link (accessed 3 January 2018).
  • Victoria State Government. Prescribing drugs of dependence – additional advice. 2017. Link (accessed 18 January 2018).
  • Department of Health and Human Services. Treating a drug-dependent person – Key legislative requirements in Victoria. Victoria State Government, 2017. Link (accessed 28 December 2017).
  • Department of Health and Human Services. Medical practitioners – Key legislative requirements in Victoria. Victoria State Government, 2017. Link (accessed 28 December 2017).
  • Jauncey M, Nielsen S. Community use of naloxone for opioid overdose. Australian Prescriber 2017;40. Link
  • Victoria State Government. Notification of a drug dependent person. 2015. Link   (accessed 22 January 2018).
  • Sixth Community Pharmacy Agreement (6CPA). Pharmacy practice incentives: Staged Supply – basics factsheet. 2017. Link (accessed 27 December 2017).
  • Dowel DH, TM. Chou, R. . CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain – United States, 2016. MMWR Recomm Rep 2016;65 (No. RR-1):1-49. Link
  • Park TW, Saitz R, Ganoczy D, et al. Benzodiazepine prescribing patterns and deaths from drug overdose among US veterans receiving opioid analgesics: case-cohort study. BMJ 2015;350. Link
  • Sun EC, Dixit A, Humphreys K, et al. Association between concurrent use of prescription opioids and benzodiazepines and overdose: retrospective analysis. BMJ 2017;356. Link
  • Dasgupta N, Funk MJ, Proescholdbell S, et al. Cohort Study of the Impact of High-Dose Opioid Analgesics on Overdose Mortality. Pain Med 2016;17:85-98. Link
  • Department of Health and Human Services and NPS MedicineWise. Recommendations for deprescribing or tapering opioids. Victoria State Government, 2016. Link (accessed 12 March 2018).
  • Department of Health and Human Services. Policy for maintenance pharmacotherapy for opioid dependence. Victoria State Government, 2016. Link (accessed 12 March 2018).
  • Gowing L, Ali R, Dunlop A, et al. National guidelines for medication-assisted treatment of opioid dependence. Commonwealth of Australia, National Drug Strategy, 2014. Link (accessed 3 January 2018).
  • Victoria State Government. Pharmacotherapy (opioid replacement therapy). 2017. Link (accessed 15 January 2018).
  • Weiss RD, Rao V. The Prescription Opioid Addiction Treatment Study: What have we learned. Drug Alcohol Depend 2017;173 Suppl 1:S48-s54. Link
  • Therapeutic Goods Administration. Suboxone sublingual film 4/1 buprenorphine (as hydrochloride) 4mg/ naloxone (as hydrochloride dihydrate) 1mg soluble film sachet. 2014. Link  (accessed 7 August 2018).
  • Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Buprenorphine + naloxone. 2017. Link (accessed 10 January 2018).
  • Therapeutic Goods Administration. SUBUTEX buprenorphine 2mg (as hydrochloride) tablet jar/can. 2000. Link (accessed 10 January 2018).
  • Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Buprenorphine. 2017. Link (accessed 10 January 2018).
  • Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Methadone. 2017. Link (accessed 10 January 2018).
  • Therapeutic Goods Administration. BIODONE FORTE methadone hydrochloride 5mg/mL oral liquid bottle. 2000. Link (accessed 7 August 2018).
  • Indivior Pty Ltd. Suboxone sublingual film. 2011. Link (accessed 10 January 2018).
  • Biomed Aust Pty Ltd. Product information: Biodone Forte. 2015. Link (accessed 10 January 2018).
  • Department of Health and Human Services. A brief guide to prescribing buprenorphine/naloxone. Victoria State Government, 2017. Link (accessed 3 January 2018).
  • HealthPathways Western Victoria. Opioid replacement therapy. 2017. Link (accessed 26 January 2018).
  • HealthPathways Western Victoria. Anxiety and depression in adults. 2017. Link (accessed 8 January 2018).
  • HealthPathways Western Victoria. Chronic pain. 2017. Link (accessed 8 January 2018).
  • Therapeutic Guidelines. Chronic pain: nonpharmacological management. East Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Ltd 2017. https://tgldcdp.tg.org.au (accessed 9 October 2017).
  • Johnson M, Martinson M. Efficacy of electrical nerve stimulation for chronic musculoskeletal pain: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Pain 2007;130:157-65. Link (accessed 7 August 2018)
  • Australian and New Zealand clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of panic disorder and agoraphobia. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2003;37:641-56. Link
  • Black Dog Institute. Treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder. 2017. Link (accessed 25 May 2018).
  • Johnson C, Blair-West S. Obsessive-compulsive disorder The role of the GP. Aust FamPhys 2013;42:606-9. Link
  • Better Health Channel. Managing and treating anxiety. Victoria State Government, 2017. Link (accessed 12 March 2018).
  • Mitchell MD, Gehrman P, Perlis M, et al. Comparative effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia: a systematic review. BMC Family Practice 2012;13:40-. Link
  • Therapeutic Guidelines. Chronic pain: Pharmacological management. East Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Ltd 2017. Link (accessed 9 October 2017).
  • Krebs EE, Gravely A, Nugent S, et al. Effect of Opioid vs Nonopioid Medications on Pain-Related Function in Patients With Chronic Back Pain or Hip or Knee Osteoarthritis Pain: The SPACE Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 2018;319:872-82. Link
  • Department of Health and Human Services and NPS MedicineWise. Safe prescribing and supply of opioid medicines – for health professionals. Victoria State Government, 2016. Link (accessed 12 March 2018).
  • White PF. What are the advantages of non-opioid analgesic techniques in the management of acute and chronic pain? Expert Opin Pharmaco 2017;18:329-33. Link
  • HealthPathways Western Victoria. Anxiety and depression medications. 2017. Link (accessed 8 January 2018).
  • Therapeutic Guidelines. Anxiety and associated disorders. East Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Ltd 2017. Link (accessed 8 January 2018).
  • American Geriatrics Society. American Geriatrics Society 2015 Updated Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 2015;63:2227-46. Link
  • Therapeutic Guidelines. Insomnia, parasomnias and jet lag. East Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Ltd 2017. Link (accessed 8 January 2018).
  • Olson LG. Hypnotic hazards: adverse effects of zolpidem and other z-drugs. Aust Prescr 2008;31:146-9. Link
  • Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia. Benzodiazepines: Information for GPs. Department for Health and Ageing, Government of South Australia, 2014. Link (accessed 10 January 2018).
  • Australian Medicines Handbook. Adelaide: AMH 2017. Link (accessed 18 January 2018).
  • Therapeutic Goods Administration. CIRCADIN melatonin 2mg prolonged release blister pack. 2009. Link (accessed 8 March 2018).

Module 3 - References and Resources

Module 3 - Reference List

  • Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Prescribing drugs of dependence in general practice. Part A: Clinical governance framework. East Melbourne: RACGP, 2015. Link (accessed 29 September 2017).
  • Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Quality of Health Care in America. Crossing the quality chasm: A new health system for the 21st century. Washington DC: National Academy of Sciences, 2001. Link (accessed 29 September 2017).
  • Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Patient-centred care: Improving quality and safety through partnerships with patients and consumers. Sydney: ACSQHC, 2011. Link (accessed 12 April 2018).
  • Nicolaidis C. Police officer, deal-maker, or health care provider? Moving to a patient-centered framework for chronic opioid management. Pain Med 2011;12:890-7. Link
  • Dowell D, Haegerich TM, Chou R. CDC guideline for prescribing opioids for chronic pain – United States, 2016. MMWR Recomm Rep 2016;65 (No. RR-1):1-49. Link
  • James J. Dealing with drug-seeking behaviour. Aust Prescr 2016;39:96-100. Link
  • Orfaly R, Harris P. Confronting Oregon’s opioid epidemic. The Oregonian 2016. Link (accessed 22 April 2016).
  • Livingston JD, Milne T, Fang ML, et al. The effectiveness of interventions for reducing stigma related to substance use disorders: A systematic review. Addiction 2012;107:39-50. Link
  • Olsen Y, Sharfstein JM. Confronting the stigma of opioid use disorder – and its treatment. JAMA 2014;311:1393-4. Link
  • American Society of Addiction Medicine. The ASAM national practice guideline for the use of medications in the treatment of addiction involving opioid use. 2015. Link (accessed 4 January 2018).
  • American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 5th Ed (DSM-5). Washington, DC: APA, 2013. Link
  • AMA Task Force to Reduce Opioid Abuse. Patients with addiction need treatment – not stigma. Am Soc Add Med 2015. Link
  • American Psychiatric Association. Substance-related and addictive disorders. 2013. Link (accessed 9 January 2018).
  • Australian Medical Association. Harmful substance use, dependence and behavioural addiction (addiction) – 2017. AMA position statement. 2017. Link (accessed 8 January 2018).
  • Global Commission on Drug Policy. The world drug [perception] problem. Countering prejudices about people who use drugs. Link (accessed 12 February 2018).
  • Kelaher M, Ferdinand A, Paradies Y. Experiencing racism in health care: the mental health impacts for Victorian Aboriginal communities. Med J Aust 2014;201:44-7. Link
  • Abbott P, Darshana D, Gordon E, et al. What do GPs need to work more effectively with Aboriginal patients? Views of Aboriginal cultural mentors and health workers. Aust Fam Phys 2014;43:58-63. Link
  • Australian National Council on Drugs. Alcohol and other drug treatment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Canberra, ACT: Australian National Council on Drugs, 2014. Link (accessed 11 January 2018).
  • National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers Association. Cultural safety framework. 2016. Link (accessed 15 February 2018).
  • Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Five steps towards excellent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare – For GPs and members of the practice team. RACGP, 2018; 6. Link (accessed.
  • Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Communicating with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander audiences. Link (accessed 28 March 2018).
  • Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Prescribing drugs of dependence in general practice. Part B: Benzodiazepines. East Melbourne: RACGP, 2015. Link (accessed 29 September 2017).
  • Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Prescribing drugs of dependence in general practice. Part C1: Opioids. East Melbourne: RACGP, 2017. Link (accessed 3 January 2018).
  • Pharmacy Board of Australia. Guidelines for dispensing of medicines. 2015. Link (accessed 11 January 2017).
  • Riess H. Addiction, empathy, and opioid alternatives. 2016. Link (accessed 8 January 2018).
  • Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Motivational interviewing techniques: Facilitating behaviour change in the general practice setting. Aust Fam Phys 2012;41:660-7. Link
  • Matthias MS, Salyers MP, Frankel RM. Re-thinking shared decision-making: Context matters. Patient Educ Couns 2013;91:176-9. Link
  • Prochaska JO, Velicer WF. The transtheoretical model of health behavior change. Am J Health Promot 1997;12:38-48. Link
  • Hall K, Gibbie T, Lubman D. Motivational interviewing techniques. Facilitating behaviour change in the general practice setting. Aust Fam Phys 2012;41:660-7. Link
  • Department of Health. Working with young people on AOD issues: Learner’s Workbook. Relapse prevention/management. Canberra: Australian Government, 2004. Link (accessed 18 June 2018).
  • Zimmerman GL, Olsen C, Bosworth MF. A ‘stages of change’ approach to helping patients change behavior. Am Fam Phys 2000;61:1409-16. Link
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Chapter 4: From precontemplation to contemplation: building readiness. Enhancing motivation for change in substance abuse treatment. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 1999. Link (accessed 8 January 2018).
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US). Chapter 3 – Motivational interviewing as a counselling style. Enhancing Motivation for Change in Substance Abuse Treatment. Rockville (MD): 1999. Link (accessed 16 March 2018).
  • Victoria State Government. Intake process and tools. 2018. Link (accessed 19 February 2018).
  • Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). General practice – A safe place. A guide for the prevention and management of patient-initiated violence. East Melbourne: RACGP, 2016. Link (accessed 11 January 2018).
  • Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Standards for general practices. East Melbourne: RACGP, 2013. Link (accessed 20 June 2018).
  • Carr N. How to say ‘no!’ to drug seekers: A conversation with Dr Nick Carr. HotDoc, 2017. Link (accessed 16 March 2018).
  • Spencer S, Johnson P. De-escalation techniques for managing aggression. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016. Link
  • Pharmacy Guild of Australia. Responding to undesirable customer behaviour. 2018. Link (accessed 12 March 2018).
  • Mennillo A. Case study – The violent patient. A risk to you and themselves. 2016. Link (accessed 12 January 2018).
  • Jammal W, Gown G. Opioid prescribing pitfalls: Medicolegal and regulatory issues. Aust Prescr 2015;38. Link

Face-to-Face Training References and Resources List

Anxiety – Reconnexion – Link

Article – Link

Article – Stages of Change Model – Link

Article – Patient Outcomes in Dose Reduction or Discontinuation of Long-Term Opioid Therapy – Link

Beyond Blue – Link

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fifth edition (2013) – Link

Definitions – key terms used during face-to-face training – Link

DPR online smart form – Link

GP guide to behavioural therapy for insomnia – Link

HealthPathways and referral pages – Link

Medicines and poisons regulations – Link

Methadone training – Link

Naloxone information for health professionals is also available from the Pennington Institute –  Link

Opioid Risk Tool – Link

Pain management – Better Pain Management – Pain education for professionals – Link

Prescribing drugs of dependence in general practice, Part B, Benzodiazepines, 3 Anxiety disorders – Link

Various online education modules on the Western Victoria PHN Learning Hub – Link

Subjective Opioid Withdrawal Scale (SOWS) questionnaire.

SHPA report – Reducing Opioid-Related Harm November 2018 – link

Article – The opioid epidemic: do we need to rethink pain? – Link

Prescribing MATOD

Department of Health and Human Services, Policy for maintenance pharmacotherapy for opioid dependence, available at Link

Department of Health and Human Services, brief guide to prescribing buprenorphine/naloxone, available at Link

National Drug Strategy, Link

RACGP, Buprenorphine/naloxone: safe prescribing (video), available at  Link

Dispensing MATOD

National guidelines for medication-assisted treatment of opioid dependence (National Drug Strategy, 2014), available at Link

Policy for maintenance pharmacotherapy for opioid dependence (Department of Health and Human Services, Victoria, 2016), available at Link


ACI Pain Management Network – Link

ACI Pain Management Network – How 5to de-prescribe and wean opioids in general practice – Link

ACI Pain Management Network – My Health Plan – Link

Ballarat Community Health – Link

Barwon Health Mental Health Drugs and Alcohol – Link

Beyond Blue – Link

DHHS – Application for permission to supply pharmacotherapies in Victoria – Link

DHHS Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 – Link

DHHS – Medicines and Poisons Regulations – Link

DHHS Opioid Tapering Calculator – Link

DHHS Opioid Risk Tool – Link

DHHS – Permit application to treat an opioid dependent person with methadone or buprenorphine – Link

DHHS SafeScript – www.health.vic.gov.au/safescript

DHHS Smart Forms – Link

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) – Link

Drug and Alcohol Clinical Advisory Service (DACAS) – Link

Faculty of Pain Medicine – Better Pain Management – Link

Hunter New England Local Health District – Brainman Pain Management Resources – Link

NPS MedicineWise – Dealing with Drug-Seeking Behaviour – Link

NPS MedicineWise – Opioid Tapering Calculator – Link

NPS MedineWise – Recommendations for deprescribing or tapering opioids – Link

OrtiCare – Link

Penington Institute CODE – Overdose First Aid – Naloxone save lives – Link

Pharmacotherapy Area Based Networks – Link

Pain Health – Pacing and Goal Setting –Link

Psychopharmacology Institute – Link

RACGP – Prescribing drugs of dependence in general practice, Part A Clinical governance framework – Link

RACGP Prescribing drugs of dependence in general practice, Part B, Benzodiazepines, 2.3 Anxiety disorders – Link

RACGP – GP guide to behavioural therapy for insomnia – Link

RACG Methadone training – Link

Reconnexion – the Benzodiazepine Toolkit – Link

Rural Addiction Medicine Pharmacotherapy Specialists – Link

Victorian Opioid Management ECHO – Link

Western Victoria PHN Learning Hub – Link

Read more about buprenorphine/naloxone prescribing in primary care, available at Link

Information and support contacts

DHHS SafeScript website – Link

Pharmacotherapy area based networks – Link

Victorian Opioid Management ECHO –  Link

Brochures and FAQs in other languages – Link

General Practitioner Training

General Practitioner Training

Opioid Podcasts for GPs reducing the pain of opioid use – Hunter Postgraduate Medical Institute – 7 minutes/week (ongoing)

Chronic pain and opioid dependence – South Australian Postgraduate Medical Education Association – 3 hours face-to-face

Medication assisted treatment for opioid dependence – RACGP Victoria –

Community program for opioid pharmacotherapy prescriber training – Mental Health Commission WA – 6 hours face-to-face

Addiction medicine – RACGP WA – 6 hours face-to-face

Addiction medicine – a rural perspective – RACGP QLD – 6.5 hours face-to-face

Pain Management Master Class – Scius Solutions P/L – 6 hours face-to-face

Aged care Pain Management Master Class – Scius Solutions P/L – 6 hours face-to-face

Postgraduate Degree Program in Pain Management – University of Sydney/PMRI – Grad Cert, Grad Dip, Masters – Link

Pain Management Multidisciplinary Workshop – The University of Sydney/PMRI – 2 weeks

Pain Management in Practice – EmpowerRehab – 2 days

Chronic Pain Management – North Coast PHN –

Chronic Pain : Opioids and Beyond – NPS MedicineWise – RACGP 40 QI and CPD points

Online Paediatric Pain Curriculum – SickKids – 10 modules – Link

Paediatric Pain and Opioid Education – Boston Children’s Hospital – Link

Professional Certificate in Pain Sciences – University of South Australia – I year

Pharmacist Training

Pharmacist Training

Pharmaceutical Society of Australia –  Link

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia – Link

PainWise –  Pharmacy Resources – Link

PainMeds Checks – tba

Prescribing Guidelines

Prescribing Guidelines

Preventing and Managing Problems with Opioid Prescribing for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain –  NSW Therapeutic Advisory Group. Sydney: NSW TAG, 2015

Queensland Health Persistent Pain Management Services, Management Guide for General Practitioners – Link

Queensland Health Quick Clinical Guideline for the use of Opioids in Chronic Non-Malignant Pain – Link

Queensland Opioid Treatment Program –  Link

Responsible, Safe, and Effective Prescription of Opioids for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain: American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP) Guidelines – Manchikanti L, Kaye AM, Knezevic NN, et al – Pain Physician 2017;20:S3-S92

NHS National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Palliative care for adults: strong opioids for pain relief (CG140). Link

NHS National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Drug Misuse prevention: targeted interventions (NG64). Link

NHS National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Controlled Drugs: safe use and management (NG46). Link

NHS National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Drug misuse in over 16s: opioid detoxification (CG 52). Link

The Benzodiazepine Toolkit By Reconnexion – Link

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CONTACTS

DHHS SafeScript

For more information about SafeScript, including technical support information

CLICK HERE

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