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Pharmacotherapy (Opioid Replacement Therapy)
Pharmacotherapy policy
Clinical guidelines
- National Clinical Guidelines and Procedures for the Use of Methadone in the Maintenance Treatment of Opioid Dependence 2003 (336kb, pdf)
- National Clinical Guidelines and Procedures for the Use of Buprenorphine in the Treatment of Opioid Dependence 2006 (238kb, pdf)
Pharmacotherapy resources
Addition information on pharmacotherapy treatment can be found in the Pharmacotherapy section of the Department of Health webpage "Publications: Alcohol and other drugs services in Victoria". Useful patient information leaflets and booklets on pharmacotherapy treatment are available on this page.Pharmacotherapy newsletter
This newsletter is for doctors and pharmacists supporting the pharmacotherapy program in Victoria. You’ll find a range of articles related to prescribing and dispensing methadone and buprenorphine. The newsletter is produced by the Department of Health Harm Reduction and Pharmacotherapy Services.
- Pharmacotherapy newsletter - September 2011
- Pharmacotherapy newsletter - October 2010
- Pharmacotherapy newsletter - May 2009
- Pharmacotherapy newsletter - May 2008
- Pharmacotherapy newsletter - October 2007 (150kb, pdf)
- Pharmacotherapy newsletter - June 2007 (240kb, pdf)
- Pharmacotherapy newsletter - November 2006 (110kb, pdf)
- Pharmacotherapy newsletter - May 2006 (96kb, pdf)
- Pharmacotherapy newsletter - August 2005 (134kb, pdf)
- Pharmacotherapy newsletter - November 2003 (50kb, pdf)
- Pharmacotherapy newsletter - May 2003 (350kb, pdf)
- Pharmacotherapy newsletter - November 2002 (80kb, pdf)
- Pharmacotherapy newsletter - May 2002 (150 kb, pdf)
Forms
Medical practitioners, nurse practitioners and community pharmacies may use the following forms to apply for approval to become a pharmacotherapy prescriber or pharmacotherapy supplier, respectively.
- Application for approval as a pharmacotherapy prescriber (49kb, pdf)
- Application for approval as a supplier of pharmacotherapies (48kb, pdf)
Approved medical practitioners or nurse practitioners may use the following forms to apply for a permit to treat an opioid dependent person with methadone or buprenorphine, notify the Department of Health of a patient's drug dependence, notify the department of methadone take away doses, and to notify the department of the termination of a patient's participation in the methadone or buprenorphine program.
- Application for a permit to treat an opioid dependent person with methadone or buprenorphine (62kb, pdf) (to submit via fax or post)
- Application for a permit to treat an opioid dependent person with methadone or buprenorphine (SmartForm – to submit online)
- Notification of drug dependent person (to submit via fax or post)
- Notification of drug dependent person (SmartForm – to submit online)
- Notification of termination of methadone or buprenorphine program (to submit via fax or post)
- Notification of termination of methadone or buprenorphine program (SmartForm – to submit online)
- Notification of release from prison of a patient treated with methadone or buprenorphine for opioid dependence
- Information on how to pre-fill SmartForms
Pharmacists may use the attached pharmacotherapy dispensing support program tax invoice to claim payments for clients who are less than 19 years of age or who have an existing Juvenile Justice order. If the Drugs and Poisons Regulation has not notified you that the client is eligible for payment at your pharmacy via a letter then the prescribing doctor may need to fax a statement notifying a change of pharmacy from a particular date on Fax number 1300 360 830.
