NEW training and support for pharmacists delivering services under the Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) in NSW will soon be available under a new partnership between government and industry.
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has joined forces with New South Wales Health with the ultimate goal of boosting access and availability to OTP services across the state.
New support available includes a dedicated resource hub, online training modules and webinars, and the expansion of the Pharmacist-to-Pharmacist Advice Line for those with specialised questions or requiring peer guidance.
"OTP is an incredibly successful program, rewarding for pharmacists and produces positive outcomes for people accessing treatment," said PSA NSW President, Luke Kelly FPS.
"These PSA offerings provide all the support pharmacists need to deliver a high-quality OTP service."
Approximately 55,700 Australians required treatment for opioid dependence on any given day in 2022, NSW having Australia's highest rate of people undergoing treatment plans, with 30 in every 1,000 or nearly 25,000 affected.
Around half of these were receiving treatment from community pharmacies.
"With the PBS listing effective July 2023, access and affordability of OTP have been significantly improved for people seeking treatment," Kelly added.
The state PSA president also took the opportunity to encourage pharmacists not currently taking part in the program to reverse course and consider implementing OTP in their pharmacies.
"We have areas across NSW that need more community pharmacies delivering OTP to support the need in our communities," Kelly said.
"I encourage all community pharmacists in NSW to access this training and support, and consider taking on more people on OTP, or providing the service." ML
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