qscript
QScript is Queensland’s real – time prescription monitoring system, helping clinicians make safer decisions about prescribing and dispensing monitored medicines. By giving GPs, pharmacists, and other prescribers access to up – to – date information, QScript helps reduce harm, improve patient safety, and support clinical decision – making. CCQ works with local providers to build confidence in using QScript as part of a broader commitment to safe, evidence – based prescribing and high – quality care for individuals and communities.
QScript is the Queensland Government’s real-time prescription monitoring system. The following health practitioners can register for QScript:
- medical practitioners
- pharmacists
- nurse practitioners
- endorsed midwives
- dentists
- podiatric surgeons and endorsed podiatrists.
There are significant financial penalties under the Act for not using the QScript system to check for appropriate medications use.
The Act states:
Failure by a prescriber or dispenser to check the database before prescribing or dispensing a monitored medicine is an offence with a maximum penalty of 20 penalty units (currently $2,669).
Not using the QScript system may also significantly impact our most vulnerable patients.
Medicines captured by QScript
QScript captures a comprehensive list of medicines that have a recognised therapeutic use but may also present a high risk of physical, mental and social harm. The Medicines and Poisons Act 2019 refers to these medicines as ‘monitored medicines’ which includes:
- all schedule eight medicines (e.g. opioids, alprazolam, nabiximols, dexamphetamine)
- the following schedule four medicines:
- all benzodiazepines
- codeine
- gabapentin
- pregabalin
- quetiapine
- tramadol
- zolpidem
- zopiclone
