IMPLEMENTING a national real-time prescription monitoring (RTPM) system before developing plans for additional pain management and treatment options is "putting the cart before the horse" according to a coalition of pain organisations.
Painaustralia CEO Carol Bennett said RTPM has a role to play in reducing overdose related deaths, but such systems can only be effective if underpinned by community awareness, health professional education and effective, accessible alternatives.
Bennett was responding to this week's news that Fred IT had been awarded a $23 million contract to develop the backbone of a national system (PD Wed).
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