Consultation: Amendments to the Medicines and Poisons Regulations 2016 and the Schedule 8 Medicines Prescribing Code

Closed 7 Oct 2022

Opened 12 Aug 2022

Contact

Medicines and Poisons Regulation Branch

9222 6883

MPRB@health.wa.gov.au

Feedback updated 19 Jun 2023

We asked

The consultation was about amendments to the Medicines and Poisons Regulations 2016 and the Schedule 8 Medicines Prescribing Code. A primary aim of the consultation was to seek feedback on proposals to reduce regulatory burden, particularly for prescribers.

The proposed changes follow implementation of ScriptCheckWA, Western Australia’s real-time prescription monitoring system. ScriptCheckWA provides clinicians with up-to-date information about all monitored medicines prescribed and dispensed for their patient within WA.

The survey was set up so respondents could choose to answer only those questions most relevant to them.

You said

A total of 39 submissions were received in response to the discussion paper. Eighteen were from organisations and 21 were from individuals.

Peak bodies representing prescribers, pharmacists and consumers responded. A significant number of respondents confined their feedback to either the section about regulation of stimulant medicines or the section about regulation of medicinal cannabis.

Most respondents supported a requirement for prescribers and pharmacists to register to access ScriptCheckWA. Opinion was divided about whether use of ScriptcheckWA, at the time of prescribing or dispensing, should be mandated.

There was general support for regulating the prescribing of stimulant medicines and medicinal cannabis in a similar manner to other Schedule 8 medicines. Detailed prescribing restrictions would be included in a ‘prescribing code’ rather than in the Regulations.

Over half the respondents supported the list of Schedule 4 medicine proposed to be classified as ‘monitored medicines’. Another 26% of respondents supported most of the medicines on the list being monitored through ScriptCheckWA.

We did

Following agreement by the Minister for Health, regulatory changes are being progressed. Details of the final proposals are available in the Consultation Report (April 2023). 

Further targeted consultation will be undertaken during development of a new prescribing code to replace the current Schedule 8 Medicines Prescribing Code.

Results updated 19 Jun 2023

Files:

Overview

The key focus of this consultation is to obtain stakeholder feedback on the preferred options for regulation of prescribing of medicines monitored via Western Australia’s real time prescription monitoring system, ScriptCheckWA.

The introduction of ScriptCheckWA will mean prescribers and pharmacists have greater and more timely access to information about their patient’s treatment with medicines in Schedule 8 (S8, controlled drugs).

ScriptCheckWA can also be used to monitor the prescribing and dispensing of certain higher risk Schedule 4 (S4, prescription only) medicines.

Please read the Discussion Paper: Amendments to the Medicines and Poisons Regulations 2016 and the Schedule 8 Medicines Prescribing Code. The discussion paper outlines a number of recommendations for changes to the Regulations and the Prescribing Code relating to:

  • Addition of certain S4 medicines to the list of medicines monitored through ScriptCheckWA
  • Regulation of the prescribing of medicines monitored via ScriptCheckWA
  • Use of ScriptCheckWA by health practitioners

As the Schedule 8 Medicines Prescribing Code (the Prescribing Code) is referenced by the Regulations, prescribers must adhere to the requirements of the Prescribing Code. The proposed changes to the Prescribing Code will flow on from the proposed changes to the Regulations.

How to provide a submission

If you haven’t already, we invite you to read the Discussion Paper: Amendments to the Medicines and Poisons Regulations 2016 and the Schedule 8 Medicines Prescribing Code and then answer questions on the different sections of the Discussion Paper.

You can answer all the questions or just a few. The only mandatory questions are some of those in the 'About you' section.

You can make a written submission to the Department, which can be in addition to or instead of completing the online questions. Written submissions must be received by the Department by 7 October 2022. Submissions can be:

  • Emailed to MPRB@health.wa.gov.au or
  • Mailed to:        
    • Medicines and Poisons Regulation Branch 
    • Department of Health WA
    • PO Box 8172
    • PERTH BUSINESS CENTRE WA 6849

Publication of submission

You have three choices on how we treat your submission (answers to questions online or written submission):

  • Publish with your name and/or organisation
  • Publish anonymously
  • Do not publish (confidential submission)

The first question of the section “About you” asks you to indicate your choice.

If you are making a written submission, please ensure you indicate how we should treat your submission on the front page of the submission.

Why your views matter

Your views will help us identify issues relating to the proposed changes to the Medicines and Poisons Regulations 2016 and the Schedule 8 Medicines Prescribing Code.

The information gathered from this consultation will be used in determining which options are taken forward when amending the Regulations and the Prescribing Code.

Audiences

  • Peak bodies and associations
  • Health professionals
  • Consumers

Interests

  • Feedback