Safescript
The Victorian Government has implemented SafeScript, a clinical decision support system that allows doctors and pharmacists to access an up-to-the-minute medication supply history of certain high risk medicines for their patient at the point of consultation. This information enables doctors, nurse practitioners and pharmacists to make more informed decisions about the safety of supply of high-risk medication and assist in combating the problematic issue of prescription drug abuse.
Checking a patient’s SafeScript profile when prescribing or dispensing listed drugs is now mandatory in most instances in Victoria.
There will be exceptions in some circumstances, including when treating patients in hospitals, prisons, police gaols, aged care and palliative care.
The SafeScript system monitors all Schedule 8 drugs, such as Morphine, Oxycodone and Fentanyl, as well as some Schedule 4 drugs including benzodiazepines, Z-drugs (Zolpidem and Zopiclone) as well as Quetiapine, an anti-psychotic drug. In July 2023, tramadol, pregabalin and gabapentin were added to the list of monitored drugs.
Learn more about the SafeScript system
Victorian Government Health.vic SafeScript hub
Specific pages from the Health.vic SafeScript hub
You’ll find a lot of information and resources on the website. Here is a selection of three pages.