Page 1604 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 2 June 2021
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MR GENTLEMAN: Of course, JACS has looked at the work Mr Peach has done over the years in various different areas of AMC that would qualify him for this particular role. I was not involved in the decision-making regarding the skills of Mr Peach and the role that he would take up in the new position.
Health—prescription monitoring
MR PETTERSSON: My question is to the Minister for Health. Minister, can you please update the Assembly on the implementation of national real-time prescription monitoring in the ACT?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I thank Mr Pettersson for the question. The ACT government is implementing a new real-time prescription monitoring system, to be known as Canberra Script, from November 2021. The implementation of Canberra Script is a key action under the ACT Drug Strategy Action Plan 2018-2021 to continue our work in minimising harm associated with both illicit and prescription drugs.
Canberra Script demonstrates the ACT government’s commitment to reducing the devastating impacts that the misuse of some prescribed medicines can have on individuals, their families and the wider community.
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: Real-time prescription monitoring systems provide important information to prescribers and pharmacists before they prescribe or supply a monitored medicine.
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: You are going to be warned soon, Mr Hanson.
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: Monitored medicines are those acknowledged as having the highest risk of harm in the community due to the potential for addiction and misuse.
In 2019, the ACT was one of the first jurisdictions to start a local real-time prescription monitoring system, known as DORA, before national efforts to address concerns about medicine abuse commenced. DORA has been an important clinical tool for health practitioners to provide safer care for their patients. Canberra Script will link to a national real-time prescription monitoring system and include enhanced features and functionality. The expanded information in Canberra Script will include more prescription-only medicines related to significant harms due to abuse and misuse such as benzodiazepines and tramadol.
Mr Hanson interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Hanson!
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