AMA submission to the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care – National Opioid Analgesic Stewardship Program

The AMA supports the development of a National Opioids Analgesic Stewardship Program. However, there are several system-wide issues that must be addressed for the Program to meet its full potential. This includes increasing hospital funding, communication between care providers, and the accessibility and affordability of non-opioid services in the community. Education interventions must be carefully thought out and developed under consultation with the relevant medical colleges and the AMA. The Program must ensure that clinical independence is maintained to prevent barriers to opioid prescribing for patients who have a legitimate clinical need.