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PSA24: Launch of Opioid Toolkit to promote safer medicine use

2 August 2024

 

Professor Suzanne Nielsen at PSA24 – ICC, Sydney, 2-4 August 2024.
Photo: Josh Woning

 

Monash University has today launched its new online Opioid Safety Toolkit for consumers, inviting delegates attending PSA’s National Conference, PSA24 so pharmacists can gain early access to prepare for its public release in late August.

 

The Toolkit, developed in partnership with the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) and PainAustralia, supports consumers who are prescribed opioids and contains advice on safer opioid use as well as guidance on how to develop an opioid safety plan in case of an adverse reaction.

Crucially, the Opioid Toolkit raises awareness among consumers that naloxone is available at no cost from Australian community pharmacies. It is estimated that less than 2% of patients at risk of a prescription opioid overdose received naloxone. This work aims to make opioid safety information and naloxone more readily available to all people who may benefit from it.

 

The Opioid Safety Toolkit is funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care and was developed by pharmacists, consumers and other health professionals.

 

Monash University Lead Investigator Professor Suzanne Nielsen said that the Toolkit leverages more than a decade of research into safer use of prescription opioids.

 

“This resource provides a new tool for pharmacists to use when providing information on the use of opioids. It can be provided to any person prescribed opioids, whether new or ongoing, and can be accessed at any time convenient to the patient.

 

“It will help pharmacists to deliver effective patient education in a non-judgemental manner that the patient can access whenever a question arises.”

 

PSA National President Associate Professor Fei Sim FPS welcomed the launch of the Toolkit as an additional resource for consumers.

 

“Pharmacists are well placed to take a leading role in reducing opioid harm in Australia, empowering consumers with the right information and guidance to support the safer use of opioids. All Australian pharmacists will be able to use the toolkit to have open conversations with patients using opioids, and increase uptake of naloxone as a harm reduction tool.

 

“I strongly encourage all pharmacists, whether practising in a community pharmacy setting, hospital or in other areas of specialisation, to access the Toolkit resources and promote their uptake with consumers.”​

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