‘I will be breaking the law’: GP calls for SafeScript boycott
Doctors who fail to check real-time script tracking software could be fined $16,000
A GP who helped develop Victoria’s real-time script tracking software has urged other doctors to break the law and boycott the system.
On 1 April, it became compulsory for all doctors and pharmacists in the state to check the software, called SafeScript, before prescribing or dispensing all schedule 8 drugs and some schedule 4 drugs.
The system integrates with GP software to issue red, amber or green pop-up notifications, with both red and amber alerts requiring the doctor to review the patient history to assess whether it is safe or appropriate to prescribe a monitored medication.
GPs who fail to take “all reasonable steps” to check the database can be fined more than $16,000.
