All health providers should be aware of the changes to codeine scheduling. From next Thursday, 1 February 2018, patients will need a prescription for all medicines containing codeine.
The PHN has developed a new resource to help practices prepare for the codeine changes which are just around the corner. You can download a copy of the new codeine check list to access information for practice staff, patients, practice managers and GPs.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is also working in collaboration with Primary Health Networks and pain specialists to ensure health professionals dealing with chronic and acute pain management have alternative strategies to use in preparation for 1 February and beyond.
As part of this work, the TGA have recently hosted a national series of workshops on the up-scheduling of codeine. These sessions provided attendees the opportunity to engage with senior TGA representatives, as well as leading specialists in acute and chronic pain management and addiction.
Resources for your practice
RACGP
TGA
Copies of the of the presentations are available from the Melbourne (28 Nov), Perth (30 Nov), Brisbane (13 Dec) and Wagga Wagga (14 Dec) sessions on the TGA website.
Health providers can access video links from the Melbourne session, below.
- Professor John Skerritt & Avi Rebera – Changes to codeine product access: Background to the decision to change to prescription-only
- Pene Wood – Alternative options to codeine in the pharmacy
- Dr Malcolm Hogg – Rethinking our approach to pain and the role of opioid therapy
- Dr Mathew Frei – Over the counter, down the hatch: OTC codeine use
- Dr Malcolm Hogg – Delivering pain management in a rural setting
- Panel Q&A Session
These videos are also available from the TGA website.