TranslateOpioid pharmacotherapy program information for health professionals
- Opioid replacement therapy (ORT) is used in the treatment of opioid misuse disorder.
- ORT in Tasmania is usually dispensed by a pharmacist with medication dosage supervised by the dispensing agent, in a pharmacy or other health setting.
If the person cannot attend a pharmacy, they can receive:
- takeaway doses
- delivery to a state operated quarantine facility
- delivery to a private residence.
Download the Tasmanian Opioid Pharmacotherapy Program Policy and Clinical Practice Standards for information about:
- eligibility, approval and review of ORT delivery
- delivery by third-party agents
- variation of prescription.
How to become an approved ORT pharmacy provider and accredited pharmacist
To supply ORT under the Tasmanian Opioid Pharmacotherapy Program (TOPP) a pharmacy requires approval with the Alcohol and Drug Service (ADS) Pharmacy using the Application for Site Approval
Completed documentation should be submitted to the ADS Pharmacy by email to [email protected]. Additional information on pharmacy approval and / or pharmacist accreditation is available from the ADS Pharmacy.
Applications for approval and accreditation are processed as soon as possible but please allow 5 business days. Note that buprenorphine and/or methadone ORT products cannot be ordered from a supplier until the approval process is completed. Please ensure contingencies are in place if the Pharmacy is to change ownership.
How to become an accredited ORT prescriber
To prescribe ORT under the Tasmanian Opioid Pharmacotherapy Program (TOPP) prescribers must be accredited with the Tasmanian Alcohol and Drug Service. To become an accredited prescriber, medical practitioners / nurse practitioners must:
- Undertake training in opioid dependence and pharmacotherapy with the Alcohol and Drug Service (ADS)
- Complete and receive a passing grade on a multi-question exam
- Agree in writing to prescribe in accordance with the Tasmanian Opioid Pharmacotherapy Program: Policy and Clinical Practice Standards.
Additional information on becoming an accredited ORT prescriber is available from the Alcohol and Drug Service via:
Email: [email protected]
Phone:03 6166 0845
Depot buprenorphine in community pharmacy
Depot buprenorphine (also known as long-acting injectable buprenorphine – LAIB) has been available for the maintenance treatment of opioid dependence in Australia since 2018 and is administered via a subcutaneous injection.
A new package has been developed to support a model of care which utilises pharmacists in the administration of depot buprenorphine. The package comprises of an online learning program, supervised practicum, and documents to support clinical governance.
- Pharmacist administration of depot buprenorphine in the treatment of opioid dependence policy
- Clinical Guidelines for pharmacist administration of depot buprenorphine in the treatment of opioid dependence
- The online learning program will be available free of charge for a period of time through the Australasian College of Pharmacy (ACP) online learning management system.
- Training provided by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) will also be accepted, and is available via the PSA's online learning platform, MyPSA.
The following professions can provide supervision for pharmacists undertaking their practicum:
- General practitioners (GPs) who are accredited prescribers under the Tasmanian Opioid Pharmacotherapy Program (TOPP)
- Medical Officers, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses and/or accredited pharmacists employed by the Alcohol and Drug Service
- Pharmacists who are accredited to administer, and are experienced in the administration of, depot buprenorphine
A Skills Assessment Record has been developed to support supervisors and pharmacists undertaking their supervised practicum.
A template has been developed to support the partnership between prescriber and pharmacist and ensure safe and effective clinical care for the transfer of the administration of depot buprenorphine from prescriber to pharmacist.
- Template: Transfer of administration of depot buprenorphine
- Letter: Transfer of administration of depot buprenorphine – September 2023
Further details on the assessment process can be found in the above documents or in the fact sheet below.
Incentive payments for accredited pharmacies
Pharmacies accredited as current providers under the TOPP are eligible for incentive payments. Payments are based on the medication provided to clients with consumables reimbursed at cost. The incentive scheme and payments have recently been updated to reflect changes to the Commonwealth’s Opioid Dependence Treatment (ODT) program.
Further information on the incentive payments is available here (coming soon).
Download a copy of the invoice for use by participating pharmacies.
Medication administration charts (dosing sheets) for community pharmacies
New standardised dosing sheets for recording individual client opioid pharmacotherapy doses are now available in three different formats and can be downloaded below.
- Letter to Community Pharmacies – Updates to payment incentives, dosing forms and fact sheet
- Fact Sheet: TOPP – Dosing Sheets for Community Pharmacists – August 2023
Medication administration charts (dosing sheets)
The following dosing sheets can be printed as a blank form and then completed manually. When completing the dosing sheets manually, please ensure all details are written clearly so they are legible and easy to read. If an error is made when completing the dosing sheets, simply rule a line through the incorrect text and clearly re-write the correct details.
Certain areas of the dosing sheets can be completed electronically prior to printing.
- Buprenorphine/Naloxone (Suboxone Film) Administration Chart a PDF, Word, or Excel.
- Buprenorphine (SUBUTEX TABLET) Administration Chart PDF, Word, or Excel.
- Long-acting Injectable Buprenorphine (Buvidal) Administration Chart – PDF, Word, or Excel
- Long-acting Injectable Buprenorphine (Sublocade) Administration Chart – PDF, Word, or Excel
- Methadone Syrup (5mg/mL) Administration Chart PDF, Word or Excel
- Methadone Liquid (5mg/mL) Administration Chart PDF, Word or Excel
- Opioid Pharmacotherapy Monthly Summary Report and Cover Sheet PDF
Record Keeping
It is important for health professionals undertaking administration of opioid replacement therapy to ensure an accurate and contemporaneous record of administration events is maintained. Accurate record keeping ensures:
- There is an accurate and contemporaneous clinical record of events to support safe care.
- Legal obligations for record keeping of narcotic substances under the Poisons Act 1971 are met.
- The information required to support the Commonwealth’s National Opioid. Pharmacotherapy Statistics Annual Data (NOPSAD) report is readily available.
Dosing sheets and Monthly Summary Report forms are required to be submitted to the Department of Health’s Pharmaceutical Services Branch bi-annually upon request by a Poisons Inspector. Forms can be provided to Pharmaceutical Services Branch when required by email [email protected] or fax on 03 6173 0820.
ORT delivery during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Download the:
- Interim guidance for the delivery of medication assisted treatment of opioid dependence in response to COVID-19
- Delivery of Opioid Replacement Therapy to Hotel Quarantine or Private Residence (including Procedure and Billing Form)
Where to get more information
Record keeping
Tasmanian Opioid Pharmacotherapy Program
Policy, incentive payment issues or suggested changes to the forms can be directed to the Alcohol and Drug Service on:
- North West Tasmania – [email protected]
- Northern Tasmania – [email protected]
- Southern Tasmania – [email protected]
