Key messages
- A medical or nurse practitioner involved in a methadone or buprenorphine program must inform the department if a patient is terminated from a program.
- There are several reasons for terminating a patient’s pharmacotherapy.
- If an incarcerated patient is on a pharmacotherapy program and is released from prison, this must be notified in addition to the regular notification.
Approved medical practitioners or nurse practitioners need to notify the department if a patient’s participation in a methadone or buprenorphine program is terminated.
Reasons for a patient’s termination include:
- transfer to another practitioner
- hospitalisation
- imprisonment
- ceased to dose methadone or buprenorphine
- requested to leave by doctor
- did not start a program
- discharged from hospital
- released from prison
- completed the program
- deceased.
The notification of termination of a methadone or buprenorphine program is a requirement under the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981. The notification of termination may be submitted online via Online forms - drugs and poisons regulation.
If an incarcerated patient is on a pharmacotherapy program and is released from prison, this must be notified in addition to the regular notification.
Reviewed 27 October 2023
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Support services
- Drug and Alcohol Clinical Advisory Service (DACAS) Ph: 1800 812 804 (24 hours, 7 days)
- DirectLine Ph: 1800 888 236 (24 hours, 7 days)
- Pharmacotherapy advocacy, mediation and support (PAMS) service Ph: 1800 443 844
More information
- Pharmacotherapy, advisory, mediation and support (PAMS) service PAMS is a free, government-funded service. Call 1800 443 844
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Contact us
Department of Health
Victorian Opioid Pharmacotherapy Program Mental Health and Wellbeing Division