Opioid prescribing letters to GPs
GPs are advised of letters that will be distributed by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) regarding opioid prescribing. Letters will be sent to those GPs who prescribe in the top 20 percent for either urban or rural and regional locations.
The letters to GPs whose opioid prescribing rates are significantly higher than their peers are an opportunity to review their prescribing practices, and where appropriate, make improvements. There will be a website to support GPs containing supporting information which will include links to external resources regarding the use and safety of opioids in clinical practice.
In previous issues of GPNN, we have advised of a number of existing resources for GPs on this topic:
- Pain Australia has launched a website to assist with alternative pain management strategies. Access the Real Relief site here.
- Scriptwise has useful online resources.
- The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) also hosts resources as well as an extensive list of current up-scheduled codeine containing products, access the list here.
- NPS MedicineWise has produced information on taking the opportunity for better care now that codeine is prescription only. GPs with patients wanting to explore alternative pain management options may be interested in how to manage the transition away from codeine. Find out more here.
AMA members can also find useful resources via the GP Desktop Support Toolkit under ‘Online Practice Tools’.
