Real-time script monitoring legislation passes in another state
The system needs to be simple and easy to use, cautions Queensland GP Dr Richard Kidd
Thousands more GPs will be able to access real-time prescribing data from next year to help deal with doctor-shoppers.
This week, the Queensland Parliament passed legislation to track both the prescribing and dispensing of opioids, benzodiazepines and products that combine codeine with other medicines, which have all been linked with drug dependence.
Details on how the system will work — including the way GPs will access the information — are yet to be thrashed out.
But it will eventually be made mandatory, with doctors who fail to check the system before prescribing a monitored drug facing fines of up to $2600.
