Hair testing for drugs

November 20, 2015

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency has issued an updated national drug screening protocol for health practitioners with a history of substance misuse. Effective from this month, any health worker who has restrictions placed on their registration as a result of previous substance misuse will be required to undergo routine quarterly hair testing, in addition to random drug testing. The Pharmacy Board of Australia said the hair testing provides additional information about the use of a wide range of drugs over a longer time period. “It therefore provides greater assurance to the Board that the practitioner is not impaired as a result of ongoing substance misuse,” the Board said. The affected health practitioners will pay for the ongoing screening costs including the cost of hair testing which is currently priced at $825 per test.

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Pharmacy Daily | Hair testing for drugs

Hair testing for drugs

Other recent headlines

CHA: “Expand pharmacist roles”

Pharmacy partnership key to Haleon’s 3-year success

Blood-free healthcare with heart

SEARCH PHARMACY DAILY

Featured video

Recent issues

INDUSTRY JOB VACANCIES