PBS opioid change: Pharmacists are reminded that from this week, the PBS listings for opioid medicines has changed.
Opioid medicines are now available in smaller quantities with no repeats for the treatment of non-chronic pain. Patients who require long-term treatment of chronic pain with opioids will still be able to access larger pack sizes and prescribers will be able to prescribe repeats where they meet the new restrictions requirements.
From 01 Jun 2020, some opioid listings will become Authority Required (STREAMLINED). Pharmacists will be required to ensure any relevant dispensed scripts have a valid streamlined authority code, which needs to be valid at the date of prescribing. Pharmacists will also need to check that prescribers have correctly requested increased quantities or repeats for chronic pain through telephone/electronic authority for up to one month's treatment or electronic/written authority for up to three months treatment.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 02 Jun 20
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