Key messages
- The department has developed a policy for prescribers and pharmacists to help them make safe, effective and legal decisions about treating patients on pharmacotherapy.
- The latest update to this policy takes effect from 1 July 2023 and reflect changes made to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), which introduced additional prescribing requirements and new patient-fee arrangements.
- Further updates to the policy are forthcoming and take effect from 1 July 2024, these include:
- the maximum repeats for ODT medicines have been amended to provide for up to six months' treatment per prescription
- Closing the Gap (CTG) PBS Co-payment Program expanded to apply to section 100 PBS medicines, in addition to section 85 (or ‘general schedule’) PBS medicines, when dispensed by a community pharmacy, approved medical practitioner or private hospital.
- All other elements of the policy remain as per the last substantive revision including guidance for supplying pharmacotherapy in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pharmacotherapy, or opioid dependence treatment (ODT) is an effective treatment for opioid dependence.
Revised Policy for maintenance pharmacotherapy for opioid dependence
Victoria's current Policy for maintenance pharmacotherapy for opioid dependence has been revised and is effective from 1 July 2023.
The latest update to policy and information takes effect from 1 July 2023 and reflect changes made to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), which introduced:
- additional requirements for prescribing ORT
- the usual PBS co-payment for the supply of pharmacotherapies (usually for up to 28 days’ supply per pharmaceutical benefit prescribed), with the amount paid contributing towards the PBS Safety Net threshold
- importantly, from 1 July 2023, pharmacists cannot charge patients additional private dispensing or dosing fees for the supply of ORT under the PBS.
All other elements of the policy remain as per the last substantive revision in 2016. Further updates on the policy are underway to reflect updates taking effect from 1 July 2024 including:
- expansion of Closing the Gap (CTG) PBS Co-payment Program, which can be read on the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care
- Changes to the maximum repeats for ODT medicines to provide for up to six months' treatment per prescription, which can be found on the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care
Policy for maintenance pharmacotherapy for opioid dependence
Pharmacotherapy policy addendum - Long-acting injectable buprenorphine
Long-acting injectable buprenorphine - brief clinical guidelines
Medication assisted treatment of opioid dependence (MATOD)
For guidance on medication assisted treatment of opioid dependence, see the following resources:
Features of a Victorian pharmacotherapy prescription
Pharmacotherapy services: information for prescribers and dispensers - COVID-19
Assessing appropriateness of take-away doses guidance checklist
Guidance for supplying methadone and buprenorphine doses to third party in context of COVID-19 pandemic
Reviewed 09 July 2024