Doctors have been reassured that they have nothing to fear from the law when prescribing opioids to ease the suffering of end-of-life patients, according to an MJA Perspective.

Academics from the University of Queensland, who carried out a review of legal actions in relation to overmedication hastening death, have concluded the law is an ally and not seeking to blame practitioners.

Last year more than 5000 GPs were sent a letter stating they were among the top 20% of opioid prescribers in Australia, and as such would be audited.

This came amid two separate debates, one about overuse of opioids and another about assisted suicide legislation, wrote the authors, led by Professor Geoffrey Mitchell, professor of general practice and palliative care at the University of Queensland in Brisbane.