The Federal Government has just announced a real-time medicine monitor that will police pharmacies and identify those who shop around for strong pain medicines.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt spoke to ABC Radio this morning, saying the Federal Government will spend an initial $16 million to roll out the plan nationally.
The monitor aims to crack down on addicts who ‘doctor shop’.
It follows a similar commitment by the Victorian Government in its 2016-17 State Budget. The State Government has committed $30 million to its plan to roll out a software system to over 1900 medical clinics, 1300 pharmacies and 200 hospitals throughout the state, as well as training and support packages for health professionals and pharmacists.
The new software will alert health professionals to unreasonably frequent requests for strong medicines such as morphine, oxycodone and fentanyl.
Experts say around 800 people die each year from prescription drug overdoses.
In Victoria last year, more people died from prescription drug overdoses than from road accidents.
Do you think a real-time medicine monitor is a good idea?
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