Australia's slow response to real-time monitoring of Schedule 8 (S8) drugs, like opioids and benzodiazepines, is contributing to this crisis. Despite efforts to introduce real-time monitoring, doctors are still writing too many prescriptions for addictive and dangerous drugs, and many Australians are suffering and dying as a result.
As a therapist, I believe that understanding the underlying reasons for this problem is crucial in order to find effective solutions. One reason that doctors continue to prescribe these drugs is that they may feel pressured to do so by patients who are seeking solutions to their chronic pain or anxiety. As therapists, we understand the importance of addressing the root causes of these issues and finding alternative treatments that do not involve addictive drugs.
Benzodiazepines (such as valium) and opioids are the two most common classes associated with drug-seeking behaviour. Opioids commonly misused in Australia include oxycodone, fentanyl, codeine and morphine. Psychotropic drugs producing stimulant effects, euphoria, sedation or hallucinatory effects are sometimes sought. These include the newer antipsychotics quetiapine and olanzapine, and stimulants such as dexamphetamine and methylphenidate. Anabolic steroids are also increasingly misused.
Another reason for the over-prescription of these drugs is the flawed system itself. Doctors may not have access to important information about a patient's history of addiction or current use of these drugs, making it difficult for them to make informed decisions about whether to prescribe them. Real-time monitoring can help to address this issue by providing doctors with the necessary information to make informed decisions.
Real-Time Prescription Monitoring enables prescribing doctors and dispensing pharmacists to access accurate information regarding a patient’s medication history with respect to specific high-risk drugs. Real-time prescription monitoring systems do not require prescribers to enter any new data. It is a separate piece of software that keeps track of when specific high-risk medications are prescribed or dispensed. This allows prescribers to be notified if someone is receiving high-risk medications beyond their medical need and make informed decisions regarding this medication. However, here is the "Glitch in the Matrix" - Real-time prescription monitoring systems do not prevent prescribers from writing or dispensing a script, or making any kind of red flag no matter how obvious it is that an individual is abusing these drugs.
Initially, I thought Australia's slow response to implementing real-time monitoring had left doctors without these important tools, and patients without the protection they need from the dangers of addiction, but I have seen no significant difference as this system has been rolled out, and I can only guess that a system such as this will not be used due to the high levels of discomfort experienced when a practice is left alone to "negotiate" with a patient in active addiction.
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