Fentanyl to remain an option ‘where other treatments fail’

The GP who wrote the guidelines defends the TGA's approach
Dr Evan Ackermann
Dr Evan Ackermann.

Fentanyl patches will still be an option for patients with non-cancer pain who have failed other treatments, under new restrictions set to come in next year.

Minister for Health Greg Hunt last month pledged to crack down on the use of fentanyl patches outside of palliative or cancer care, unless “exceptional circumstances apply”.