THE SafeScript real-time prescription monitoring system currently being rolled out in Vic has alerted doctors and pharmacists in Western Victoria to almost 3,300 patients at risk of harm or overdose from visiting multiple clinics or pharmacies.
That figure has been achieved in just the first two months of operation of the platform, with more than 400 sites part of the initial deployment across the Western Victoria Primary Health Network at a range of locations including Ararat, Ballarat, Geelong, Maryborough and Warrnambool.
SafeScript is monitoring all Schedule 8 medicines such as morphine and oxycodone, along with other drugs including codeine and diazepam, giving health professionals "finger-tip access to real-time information about their patients' prescription history of monitored medicines.
"Prescription medicine dependency can happen to anybody, and deaths caused by prescription medicine misuse have outnumbered the road toll in Victoria for the past six years," said Vic Health Minister, Jenny Mikakos.
"We said SafeScript would save lives and that's exactly what this cutting-edge program is doing.
"Now health professionals can access real-time information about a patient's prescription history, and discuss with them the risks of using dangerous amounts of prescription medication," Mikakos said.
The Victorian Government has invested $29.5 million to implement SafeScript, including the development of the platform by Guild/Telstra offshoot Fred IT as well as training and support for practitioners.
A public awareness campaign has also been rolled out targeting more than 600,000 people in the region, who can also get free, confidential advice by calling the 24 hour SafeScript Pharmaceutical Helpline on 1800 737 233.
The system will be rolled out across the state in Apr 2019.
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