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NSW Opioid Treatment Program

The NSW Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) seeks to reduce the social, economic and health
harms associated with opioid use.

To enrol a patient on the NSW OTP, authorisation from the
NSW Ministry of Health is required.

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Prescribe psychostimulants

An authority from the NSW Ministry of Health is required to prescribe or supply dexamfetamine, lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), or methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin, Ritalin LA).

A pharmacist in NSW cannot dispense a prescription for psychostimulants unless the prescription bears an authority number issued by the
NSW Ministry of Health.

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Legislative requirements

The NSW Ministry of Health publishes guides to the handling of drugs, including legal requirements for the prescribing and supply of drugs of addiction and restricted substances.

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Section 100 co‑payments

Eligible patients do not need to pay co-payments for s100 Highly Specialised Drugs or s100 injectable and infusible chemotheraphy medicines in NSW.

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Prescribe S8 opioid for pain management

An authority from the NSW Ministry of Health is required to prescribe or supply a Schedule 8 opioid for

  • a drug dependent person or
  • a non-drug dependent person who is prescribed or supplied with any injectable opioid, opioid for intranasal use or for spray or application to mucous membranes, buprenorphine (except transdermal), hydromorphone, methadone continuously for more than 2 months.
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Prescribe alprazolam or flunitrazepam

An authority from the NSW Ministry of Health is required to prescribe alprazolam or flunitrazepam for

  • a drug dependent person or
  • a non-drug dependent person who is prescribed alprazolam or flunitrazepam continuously for more than 2 months.

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Notifying the loss or theft of drugs or prescriptions

The NSW Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008 requires persons who are authorised to be in possession of a drug of addiction (Schedule 8 substance) or a 'prescribed restricted substance' (Schedule 4 Appendix D substance) to immediately notify the Secretary of NSW Ministry of Health any loss or theft of these drugs.

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To report prescription stationery or prescriptions lost, stolen or forged, submit a Notification of Lost, Stolen or Forged Prescription. Reporting means you may help reduce the trafficking of drugs of abuse sourced through fraudulent prescriptions.

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Current as at: Thursday 16 April 2020
Contact page owner: Pharmaceutical Services