Expanded support for NSW pharmacists participating in Opioid Treatment Program

16 October 2024

 

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has partnered with New South Wales Health to deliver specialised training and support for pharmacists delivering services under the Opioid Treatment Program (OTP). These supports aim to grow the availability of OTP services across the state.

 

PSA’s expanded support for pharmacists providing OTP services in NSW include a dedicated resource hub, a series of online modules and webinars, and the expansion of the Pharmacist-to-Pharmacist Advice Line to all participating pharmacists.

 

Announcing the partnership, PSA New South Wales President Luke Kelly FPS encouraged pharmacists to consider implementing OTP in their pharmacies.

 

“OTP is an incredibly successful program, rewarding for pharmacists and produces positive outcomes for people accessing treatment. These PSA offerings provide all the support pharmacists need to deliver a high-quality OTP service,” Mr Kelly said.

 

“With the PBS listing effective July 2023, access and affordability of OTP have been significantly improved for people seeking treatment. Pharmacists have a critical role to enhance accessibility.

 

Mr Kelly also encouraged non-participating pharmacists to consider implementing OTP in their pharmacies.

 

“We have areas across NSW that need more community pharmacies delivering OTP to support the need in our communities. I encourage all community pharmacists in NSW to access this training and support, and consider taking on more people on OTP, or providing the service.”

 

In 2022, approximately 55,700 Australians received treatment for opioid dependence on any given day. NSW had the highest rate of people in treatment for opioid dependence, with 30 per 10,000 people, or 24,783 people total. In NSW approximately half of the people accessing OTP services access them from community pharmacists.

 

More information on the new offerings is available below and available at PSA’s NSW OTP hub.

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Media contact:   Georgia Clarke   M: 0480 099 798  E: georgia.clarke@psa.org.au