Central Gippsland Health (CGH) has introduced a real-time prescription monitoring system to enable the safer supply of high risk medicines to patients.
SafeScript is being introduced state-wide and provides doctors and pharmacists with a notification when a patient has previously been prescribed a high risk drug.
The Victorian Government successfully trialled SafeScript in October last year and CGH Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Frank Evans, said the monitoring system was intuitive, secure, innovative and delivered real-time alerts so that patients at risk received the best treatment and support.
“SafeScript provides doctors and pharmacists with information about your medication history to enable them to make better decisions about your nizagara australia care and keep you safe,” Dr Evans explained.
If a doctor prescribes a medication for a patient, a notification will pop up on their screen to tell them of the patient’s history of using that drug. The system will not prevent patients from obtaining medicines they need to manage medical conditions, and the decision to prescribe or supply them with a prescription medicine will still be made by their doctor or pharmacist.
CGH Needle and Syringe Project Worker, Glenn Strike, said SafeScript allowed prescription records for some high-risk medicines to be transmitted in real-time to a centralised database which could then be accessed by doctors and pharmacists during a consultation.
“It facilitates the early identification, treatment and support for patients who are developing signs of dependence,” Mr Strike said. “Prescription medicines causing greatest harm to the community are monitored through SafeScript, including all Schedule 8 medicines and other high risk medicines such as benzodiazepines, zolpidem or zopiclone, quetiapine and codeine.”
SafeScript requires that all Victorian GPs record every occasion that they prescribe a high risk medication which, in turn, allows other GPs to see when and why a patient has already been prescribed these medications.
“A GP can then openly discuss issues such as pain management, medication dependence, the risk of overdose and alternative support strategies,” Mr Strike explained.
“Without these discussions, many people might not be aware of the risks they are exposing themselves too or the support that is out there for them to access.”
Research has shown that dependence upon these prescribed medications continues to increase, as does the rate of opioid based overdose. In fact, the number of overdose deaths in Victoria involving pharmaceutical medicines is higher than the number of overdose deaths involving illicit drugs and, since 2012, has exceeded the road toll.
“Prescription medicines can be harmful if taken in high doses or in combination with other medicines,” Mr Strike explained.
“The next time you visit CGH and are advised that your details are being entered into the SafeScript program, remember that your GP is required to do this by law and it is our obligation to ensure your treatment is safe and suited to your needs.”
More information about SafeScript can be obtained at www.health.vic.gov.au.