Department updates on cervical screening, e-prescribing, and Sabril shortages
Members are provided with information from the Department of Health.
National Cervical Screen Program
The National Cervical Screening Program education course for healthcare providers has now been updated to reflect the expansion of self-collection eligibility on 1 July 2022.
The course is a self-directed CPD online training course consisting of six modules intended to enhance, reinforce and increase knowledge about the Cervical Screening Test and clinical pathways.
The duration of each module is approximately 1 hour, with 1 self-directed CPD point able to be allocated per hour spent completing the modules.
Information on self-collection as a screening option can be found throughout all modules, but of particular interest may be Module 4 Screening in Practice which describes the steps involved in supporting a patient to self-collect a vaginal Cervical Screening Test sample.
E-prescribing is now National Prescription Delivery Service
The government is streamlining the way e-prescribing works under a centralised national management system known as the National Prescription Delivery Service (NPDS).
Its aim is to keep transfers of prescription information cost-neutral between clinicians and pharmacists.
To continue prescribing eligible medications, all clinicians must be connected to the NPDS by 30 September 2023.
If you are connected to eRx Script Exchange: No action by you is required at this time.
If your practice is NOT connected to eRx Script Exchange
- register each clinician ASAP on eRx http://www.erx.com.au/register
- check with your prescribing software provider about any software updates you may need to perform.
If you are unsure if your practice is connected to eRx Script Exchange, contact your prescribing software provider for more information.
Read the PDS factsheet for more information
Sabril
Pharmaceutical company Sanofi-Aventis has notified the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) about a shortage of the tablet form of their vigabatrin product, Sabril.
The shortage was triggered by a global recall and is expected to last until 30 September 2023. The oral 500 mg powder sachet form of the product was also recalled, but unaffected stock is now available.
