FDS Insight Newsletter Jul-Sep 2020

17 But just as the longest journey starts with a single step, the road to prescription medication addiction starts with one script. One that a doctor has issued. Followed all too often by a second, and a third… We write the scripts, and we have to accept responsibility for knowing when not to write them. So far we have failed. Reducing access generally reduces use. Make cigarettes more expensive, fewer people smoke. When codeine went prescription-only last year, its use dropped by 50% – as did the rate of codeine overdoses. Since we doctors were doing nothing to stop people’s access to opiates, it’s been done for us. I suspect this is one time my Gran was right: this smack won’t do us any harm, and it could just do others a lot of good. What’s new about take-home naloxone? AJP.com.au (2/6/20) ree take home naloxone is available in three states under a pilot program. Here’s how you can get involved. Every day, three people die from opioid-related drug induced death in Australia, while almost 150 hospitalisations and 14 emergency department admissions involve opioids. Take home naloxone (THN) is a life- saving medicine available for people who are at risk of an opioid overdose or witnessing an overdose. Until Feb 2021, take home naloxone is FREE for patients in NSW, SA and WA under an Australian Government pilot During the pilot, Australian Government will reimburse the full cost (including dispensing fee) to participating community pharmacies providing take home naloxone to people at risk of witnessing or experiencing an opioid overdose or adverse reaction. A PBS prescription is not required. How you can get involved: ➔ Register for the program ➔ Order Naloxone through your usual ordering channel to have on hand, and promote the availability of free naloxone with staff and patients ➔ Provide take home naloxone with advice on the correct use of naloxone and collect some simple patient data (de-identified). ➔ Claim for reimbursement through the PPA portal and enter patient data. Remember to re-order naloxone and to ensure adequate stock levels. Naloxone is also available on the PBS with a F