HEALTH Minister Mark Butler has proposed major changes to medication record keeping, with the creation of a new National Medicines Record that logs all medicines prescribed and dispensed for patients.
A consultation period is underway and will look at how the system will be set up such that it maintains a balance between accuracy and privacy concerns.
In the meantime, the Federal Government will implement mandatory reporting of all medicines-related information from telehealth prescribers, ensuring it is available to other prescribers, patients and pharmacists through their My Health Record.
This will include medicines prescribed and dispensed through online platforms, with a note on the clinical context for prescribing, to help avoid harm to patients due to medication errors, adverse drug reactions, or inappropriate use.
Doctors have welcomed the proposed changes, with RACGP president Dr Michael Wright stating that the government's reforms take a measured approach.
"This is a sensible measure to ensure all telehealth providers are held to the same standards as your usual GP," he said.
"Online and on-demand telehealth providers who aren't connected to your usual general practice cannot see your medical history and may not inform other health professionals of what care or prescriptions they provide by adding to your history or your My Health Record," Dr Wright explained.
Fragmented patient care and prescribing, in part due to telehealth and doctor shopping, has resulted in some patients falling through the cracks.
The proposed changes were inspired by the case of Erin Collins, who overdosed last year after stockpiling medication prescribed by multiple digital health platforms - despite warnings on her My Health Record from hospital staff, and arrangements in place for her to pick up a controlled dose of medication from the local pharmacy each day.
The changes go beyond prescribing information and will lead to records of dispensing, another welcome development.
"This means if I write a prescription for a patient, I know they are getting it filled, or if not, can work with them to understand why," Dr Wright explained.
It is anticipated that the first phase of the National Medicines Record will be completed by Dec. KB
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