❓ Question addresses concerns about doctor shopping and prescription fraud related to schedule 8 drugs, prompting a response detailing actions taken to mitigate these issues, including regulatory amendments and approval processes.
AnsweredQoN 749Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the article in The West Australian of 7 October 2005 regarding prescription shopping or doctor shopping of schedule 8 drugs. (1) Is the minister concerned by the findings of the WA-led survey of Australian pharmacies that revealed 13 000 cases of doctor shopping in a six-month period as well as 7 300 cases of prescription forgeries for addictive drugs? (2) If yes to (1), what action is the minister taking to reduce doctor shopping in Western Australia? (3) Will the minister confirm whether prior authorisation from the Commissioner of Health is required by medical practitioners who wish to prescribe a schedule 8 drug to a patient, such as MS-Contin; and, if not, why not? Hon SUE ELLERY
AnswerView source ↗
(1) The improper attainment and misuse of medications, particularly those that have the potential for addiction and abuse, is always a concern to the Attorney General and Minister for Health. The survey has not been provided to the Department of Health, so the Minister for Health is unable to comment directly on the accuracy or validity of the numbers presented in the report. I refer the member to the media statement of 9 June 2004 on a campaign to stamp out prescription fraud, which I table. [See paper 845.] (2) The department has initiated amendments to the Poisons Regulations 1965 to minimise the dispensing of forged prescriptions at pharmacies. The amendments are planned to come into effect on 1 January 2006. The proposed amendments will require the pharmacy dispensing the original supply to retain the schedule 8 prescription for any repeats authorised; require the dose and repeat interval to be specified on the prescription by the prescriber; and require the pharmacist to verify all prescriptions with the prescriber. (3) Written approval from the Commissioner of Health is required for medical practitioners to prescribe schedule 8 medications for a period greater than 60 days and/or to patients who are notified drug addicts. Authorised medical practitioners prescribing schedule 8 stimulant medications are required to submit a notification to the Department of Health at the initiation of stimulant treatment.
(1) Is the minister concerned by the findings of the WA-led survey of Australian pharmacies that revealed 13 000 cases of doctor shopping in a six-month period as well as 7 300 cases of prescription forgeries for addictive drugs? (2) If yes to (1), what action is the minister taking to reduce doctor shopping in Western Australia? (3) Will the minister confirm whether prior authorisation from the Commissioner of Health is required by medical practitioners who wish to prescribe a schedule 8 drug to a patient, such as MS-Contin; and, if not, why not? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1) The improper attainment and misuse of medications, particularly those that have the potential for addiction and abuse, is always a concern to the Attorney General and Minister for Health. The survey has not been provided to the Department of Health, so the Minister for Health is unable to comment directly on the accuracy or validity of the numbers presented in the report. I refer the member to the media statement of 9 June 2004 on a campaign to stamp out prescription fraud, which I table. [See paper 845.] (2) The department has initiated amendments to the Poisons Regulations 1965 to minimise the dispensing of forged prescriptions at pharmacies. The amendments are planned to come into effect on 1 January 2006. The proposed amendments will require the pharmacy dispensing the original supply to retain the schedule 8 prescription for any repeats authorised; require the dose and repeat interval to be specified on the prescription by the prescriber; and require the pharmacist to verify all prescriptions with the prescriber. (3) Written approval from the Commissioner of Health is required for medical practitioners to prescribe schedule 8 medications for a period greater than 60 days and/or to patients who are notified drug addicts. Authorised medical practitioners prescribing schedule 8 stimulant medications are required to submit a notification to the Department of Health at the initiation of stimulant treatment.
(2) If yes to (1), what action is the minister taking to reduce doctor shopping in Western Australia? (3) Will the minister confirm whether prior authorisation from the Commissioner of Health is required by medical practitioners who wish to prescribe a schedule 8 drug to a patient, such as MS-Contin; and, if not, why not? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1) The improper attainment and misuse of medications, particularly those that have the potential for addiction and abuse, is always a concern to the Attorney General and Minister for Health. The survey has not been provided to the Department of Health, so the Minister for Health is unable to comment directly on the accuracy or validity of the numbers presented in the report. I refer the member to the media statement of 9 June 2004 on a campaign to stamp out prescription fraud, which I table. [See paper 845.] (2) The department has initiated amendments to the Poisons Regulations 1965 to minimise the dispensing of forged prescriptions at pharmacies. The amendments are planned to come into effect on 1 January 2006. The proposed amendments will require the pharmacy dispensing the original supply to retain the schedule 8 prescription for any repeats authorised; require the dose and repeat interval to be specified on the prescription by the prescriber; and require the pharmacist to verify all prescriptions with the prescriber. (3) Written approval from the Commissioner of Health is required for medical practitioners to prescribe schedule 8 medications for a period greater than 60 days and/or to patients who are notified drug addicts. Authorised medical practitioners prescribing schedule 8 stimulant medications are required to submit a notification to the Department of Health at the initiation of stimulant treatment.
(3) Will the minister confirm whether prior authorisation from the Commissioner of Health is required by medical practitioners who wish to prescribe a schedule 8 drug to a patient, such as MS-Contin; and, if not, why not? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1) The improper attainment and misuse of medications, particularly those that have the potential for addiction and abuse, is always a concern to the Attorney General and Minister for Health. The survey has not been provided to the Department of Health, so the Minister for Health is unable to comment directly on the accuracy or validity of the numbers presented in the report. I refer the member to the media statement of 9 June 2004 on a campaign to stamp out prescription fraud, which I table. [See paper 845.] (2) The department has initiated amendments to the Poisons Regulations 1965 to minimise the dispensing of forged prescriptions at pharmacies. The amendments are planned to come into effect on 1 January 2006. The proposed amendments will require the pharmacy dispensing the original supply to retain the schedule 8 prescription for any repeats authorised; require the dose and repeat interval to be specified on the prescription by the prescriber; and require the pharmacist to verify all prescriptions with the prescriber. (3) Written approval from the Commissioner of Health is required for medical practitioners to prescribe schedule 8 medications for a period greater than 60 days and/or to patients who are notified drug addicts. Authorised medical practitioners prescribing schedule 8 stimulant medications are required to submit a notification to the Department of Health at the initiation of stimulant treatment.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1) The improper attainment and misuse of medications, particularly those that have the potential for addiction and abuse, is always a concern to the Attorney General and Minister for Health. The survey has not been provided to the Department of Health, so the Minister for Health is unable to comment directly on the accuracy or validity of the numbers presented in the report. I refer the member to the media statement of 9 June 2004 on a campaign to stamp out prescription fraud, which I table. [See paper 845.] (2) The department has initiated amendments to the Poisons Regulations 1965 to minimise the dispensing of forged prescriptions at pharmacies. The amendments are planned to come into effect on 1 January 2006. The proposed amendments will require the pharmacy dispensing the original supply to retain the schedule 8 prescription for any repeats authorised; require the dose and repeat interval to be specified on the prescription by the prescriber; and require the pharmacist to verify all prescriptions with the prescriber. (3) Written approval from the Commissioner of Health is required for medical practitioners to prescribe schedule 8 medications for a period greater than 60 days and/or to patients who are notified drug addicts. Authorised medical practitioners prescribing schedule 8 stimulant medications are required to submit a notification to the Department of Health at the initiation of stimulant treatment.
(1) The improper attainment and misuse of medications, particularly those that have the potential for addiction and abuse, is always a concern to the Attorney General and Minister for Health. The survey has not been provided to the Department of Health, so the Minister for Health is unable to comment directly on the accuracy or validity of the numbers presented in the report. I refer the member to the media statement of 9 June 2004 on a campaign to stamp out prescription fraud, which I table. [See paper 845.] (2) The department has initiated amendments to the Poisons Regulations 1965 to minimise the dispensing of forged prescriptions at pharmacies. The amendments are planned to come into effect on 1 January 2006. The proposed amendments will require the pharmacy dispensing the original supply to retain the schedule 8 prescription for any repeats authorised; require the dose and repeat interval to be specified on the prescription by the prescriber; and require the pharmacist to verify all prescriptions with the prescriber. (3) Written approval from the Commissioner of Health is required for medical practitioners to prescribe schedule 8 medications for a period greater than 60 days and/or to patients who are notified drug addicts. Authorised medical practitioners prescribing schedule 8 stimulant medications are required to submit a notification to the Department of Health at the initiation of stimulant treatment.
(2) The department has initiated amendments to the Poisons Regulations 1965 to minimise the dispensing of forged prescriptions at pharmacies. The amendments are planned to come into effect on 1 January 2006. The proposed amendments will require the pharmacy dispensing the original supply to retain the schedule 8 prescription for any repeats authorised; require the dose and repeat interval to be specified on the prescription by the prescriber; and require the pharmacist to verify all prescriptions with the prescriber. (3) Written approval from the Commissioner of Health is required for medical practitioners to prescribe schedule 8 medications for a period greater than 60 days and/or to patients who are notified drug addicts. Authorised medical practitioners prescribing schedule 8 stimulant medications are required to submit a notification to the Department of Health at the initiation of stimulant treatment.
(3) Written approval from the Commissioner of Health is required for medical practitioners to prescribe schedule 8 medications for a period greater than 60 days and/or to patients who are notified drug addicts. Authorised medical practitioners prescribing schedule 8 stimulant medications are required to submit a notification to the Department of Health at the initiation of stimulant treatment.
(1) Is the minister concerned by the findings of the WA-led survey of Australian pharmacies that revealed 13 000 cases of doctor shopping in a six-month period as well as 7 300 cases of prescription forgeries for addictive drugs? (2) If yes to (1), what action is the minister taking to reduce doctor shopping in Western Australia? (3) Will the minister confirm whether prior authorisation from the Commissioner of Health is required by medical practitioners who wish to prescribe a schedule 8 drug to a patient, such as MS-Contin; and, if not, why not? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1) The improper attainment and misuse of medications, particularly those that have the potential for addiction and abuse, is always a concern to the Attorney General and Minister for Health. The survey has not been provided to the Department of Health, so the Minister for Health is unable to comment directly on the accuracy or validity of the numbers presented in the report. I refer the member to the media statement of 9 June 2004 on a campaign to stamp out prescription fraud, which I table. [See paper 845.] (2) The department has initiated amendments to the Poisons Regulations 1965 to minimise the dispensing of forged prescriptions at pharmacies. The amendments are planned to come into effect on 1 January 2006. The proposed amendments will require the pharmacy dispensing the original supply to retain the schedule 8 prescription for any repeats authorised; require the dose and repeat interval to be specified on the prescription by the prescriber; and require the pharmacist to verify all prescriptions with the prescriber. (3) Written approval from the Commissioner of Health is required for medical practitioners to prescribe schedule 8 medications for a period greater than 60 days and/or to patients who are notified drug addicts. Authorised medical practitioners prescribing schedule 8 stimulant medications are required to submit a notification to the Department of Health at the initiation of stimulant treatment.
(2) If yes to (1), what action is the minister taking to reduce doctor shopping in Western Australia? (3) Will the minister confirm whether prior authorisation from the Commissioner of Health is required by medical practitioners who wish to prescribe a schedule 8 drug to a patient, such as MS-Contin; and, if not, why not? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1) The improper attainment and misuse of medications, particularly those that have the potential for addiction and abuse, is always a concern to the Attorney General and Minister for Health. The survey has not been provided to the Department of Health, so the Minister for Health is unable to comment directly on the accuracy or validity of the numbers presented in the report. I refer the member to the media statement of 9 June 2004 on a campaign to stamp out prescription fraud, which I table. [See paper 845.] (2) The department has initiated amendments to the Poisons Regulations 1965 to minimise the dispensing of forged prescriptions at pharmacies. The amendments are planned to come into effect on 1 January 2006. The proposed amendments will require the pharmacy dispensing the original supply to retain the schedule 8 prescription for any repeats authorised; require the dose and repeat interval to be specified on the prescription by the prescriber; and require the pharmacist to verify all prescriptions with the prescriber. (3) Written approval from the Commissioner of Health is required for medical practitioners to prescribe schedule 8 medications for a period greater than 60 days and/or to patients who are notified drug addicts. Authorised medical practitioners prescribing schedule 8 stimulant medications are required to submit a notification to the Department of Health at the initiation of stimulant treatment.
(3) Will the minister confirm whether prior authorisation from the Commissioner of Health is required by medical practitioners who wish to prescribe a schedule 8 drug to a patient, such as MS-Contin; and, if not, why not? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1) The improper attainment and misuse of medications, particularly those that have the potential for addiction and abuse, is always a concern to the Attorney General and Minister for Health. The survey has not been provided to the Department of Health, so the Minister for Health is unable to comment directly on the accuracy or validity of the numbers presented in the report. I refer the member to the media statement of 9 June 2004 on a campaign to stamp out prescription fraud, which I table. [See paper 845.] (2) The department has initiated amendments to the Poisons Regulations 1965 to minimise the dispensing of forged prescriptions at pharmacies. The amendments are planned to come into effect on 1 January 2006. The proposed amendments will require the pharmacy dispensing the original supply to retain the schedule 8 prescription for any repeats authorised; require the dose and repeat interval to be specified on the prescription by the prescriber; and require the pharmacist to verify all prescriptions with the prescriber. (3) Written approval from the Commissioner of Health is required for medical practitioners to prescribe schedule 8 medications for a period greater than 60 days and/or to patients who are notified drug addicts. Authorised medical practitioners prescribing schedule 8 stimulant medications are required to submit a notification to the Department of Health at the initiation of stimulant treatment.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1) The improper attainment and misuse of medications, particularly those that have the potential for addiction and abuse, is always a concern to the Attorney General and Minister for Health. The survey has not been provided to the Department of Health, so the Minister for Health is unable to comment directly on the accuracy or validity of the numbers presented in the report. I refer the member to the media statement of 9 June 2004 on a campaign to stamp out prescription fraud, which I table. [See paper 845.] (2) The department has initiated amendments to the Poisons Regulations 1965 to minimise the dispensing of forged prescriptions at pharmacies. The amendments are planned to come into effect on 1 January 2006. The proposed amendments will require the pharmacy dispensing the original supply to retain the schedule 8 prescription for any repeats authorised; require the dose and repeat interval to be specified on the prescription by the prescriber; and require the pharmacist to verify all prescriptions with the prescriber. (3) Written approval from the Commissioner of Health is required for medical practitioners to prescribe schedule 8 medications for a period greater than 60 days and/or to patients who are notified drug addicts. Authorised medical practitioners prescribing schedule 8 stimulant medications are required to submit a notification to the Department of Health at the initiation of stimulant treatment.
(1) The improper attainment and misuse of medications, particularly those that have the potential for addiction and abuse, is always a concern to the Attorney General and Minister for Health. The survey has not been provided to the Department of Health, so the Minister for Health is unable to comment directly on the accuracy or validity of the numbers presented in the report. I refer the member to the media statement of 9 June 2004 on a campaign to stamp out prescription fraud, which I table. [See paper 845.] (2) The department has initiated amendments to the Poisons Regulations 1965 to minimise the dispensing of forged prescriptions at pharmacies. The amendments are planned to come into effect on 1 January 2006. The proposed amendments will require the pharmacy dispensing the original supply to retain the schedule 8 prescription for any repeats authorised; require the dose and repeat interval to be specified on the prescription by the prescriber; and require the pharmacist to verify all prescriptions with the prescriber. (3) Written approval from the Commissioner of Health is required for medical practitioners to prescribe schedule 8 medications for a period greater than 60 days and/or to patients who are notified drug addicts. Authorised medical practitioners prescribing schedule 8 stimulant medications are required to submit a notification to the Department of Health at the initiation of stimulant treatment.
(2) The department has initiated amendments to the Poisons Regulations 1965 to minimise the dispensing of forged prescriptions at pharmacies. The amendments are planned to come into effect on 1 January 2006. The proposed amendments will require the pharmacy dispensing the original supply to retain the schedule 8 prescription for any repeats authorised; require the dose and repeat interval to be specified on the prescription by the prescriber; and require the pharmacist to verify all prescriptions with the prescriber. (3) Written approval from the Commissioner of Health is required for medical practitioners to prescribe schedule 8 medications for a period greater than 60 days and/or to patients who are notified drug addicts. Authorised medical practitioners prescribing schedule 8 stimulant medications are required to submit a notification to the Department of Health at the initiation of stimulant treatment.
(3) Written approval from the Commissioner of Health is required for medical practitioners to prescribe schedule 8 medications for a period greater than 60 days and/or to patients who are notified drug addicts. Authorised medical practitioners prescribing schedule 8 stimulant medications are required to submit a notification to the Department of Health at the initiation of stimulant treatment.
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