SafeScript: New system to monitor prescription drug use

Patient use of prescription drugs including codeine will be monitored under an Australian-first monitoring system.

Laws effective in Victoria from July 2 will allow data to be collected so doctors, nurses and pharmacists have the most current information on patient prescription histories when the SafeScript system is enforced later this year.

“Too many Victorians have died from misuse of prescription medicines. This is an avoidable tragedy and that’s why we’re getting SafeScript done,” Health Minister Jill Hennessy said.

Along with codeine, drugs that will be on the “watch list” include morphine, benzodiazepines such as Valium, and sleeping tablet Stilnox.

Associate Professor Julian Rait from the Australian Medical Association told 9NEWS said he was confident about the program.

“We want to improve the safety for patients,” he said.

President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Benjamin Marchant said SafeScript shouldn’t make life harder for people who legitimately need pain medication.

“The real time prescription monitoring system will actually help to bring that all together and allow clinicians to work together as a team,” Mr Marchant said.

The system will be trialled in the state’s west from October, before being rolled out through remaining areas through 2019.

It comes after the federal government banned the sale of codeine over-the-counter across Australia at the start of the year.