Real Time Prescription Monitoring - this consultation has now closed

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What is this about?

Real Time Prescription Monitoring (RTPM) is a national digital health system established by the Commonwealth Government with the aim of providing doctors and pharmacists involved in your care with a comprehensive history of the high-risk medicines you may have been prescribed.

The RTPM system was developed to address growing concern about overdose and accidental deaths from prescription medications. Its implementation requires amendments to the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008 act which will allow for the collection and use of your personal data regarding certain prescription medicines.

Critically, RTPM is not an opt-out system. This means that once the regulation is changed, these patient records must be provided to the NSW RTPM Database by law.

The NSW Ministry of Health is currently undergoing public consultation in order to hear the thoughts and concerns of those affected by this change. HCNSW and WayAhead want to ensure that the rights of their members are protected and that any potential issues regarding this change are recognised and formally expressed to the NSW Ministry of Health.

Who does this affect?

Anyone who is currently prescribed medicine that has been identified by medical advisors and researchers as “high-risk”. The list of monitored medicines is yet to be finalised, but will likely include:

  • Any substance in Schedule 8 (opioids, psychostimulants, some cannabis-based medicines, and some benzodiazepines)
  • All benzodiazepines when included in either Schedule 4 or 8
  • Codeine when in Schedule 4
  • Plus a number of other prescription medications (see RTPM Consultation Paper)

This means people managing the following conditions may, depending on their medication, have their prescriptions monitored and may find their access to existing medications changed: anxiety, depression, pain management, ADHD, sleep difficulties, and people who receive treatment for dependency on alcohol and other drugs. Palliative care treatment is NOT included in these changes.

How can I get involved?

There are three ways for you to get involved.

  1. For health consumers: If you are a patient, carer and/or family member of someone who might be affected by RTPM, please take the HCNSW/WayAhead survey for health consumers. THIS SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED.
  2. For health consumers: You can become a health consumer representative on the eHealth NSW/NSW Ministry of Health Real Time Prescription Monitoring and Enhanced Authority Management Program Consumer Advisory Group. To find out more click on 'News Feed' below and read about the eHealth/NSW Ministry of Health Real Time Prescription Monitoring CAG. APPLICATOINS TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE ADVISORY GROUP HAVE NOW CLOSED.
  3. For health consumer organisations: Register for one of two HCNSW/WayAhead consultation workshops for organisations whose members will likely be affected by RTPM. THE REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.

What is this about?

Real Time Prescription Monitoring (RTPM) is a national digital health system established by the Commonwealth Government with the aim of providing doctors and pharmacists involved in your care with a comprehensive history of the high-risk medicines you may have been prescribed.

The RTPM system was developed to address growing concern about overdose and accidental deaths from prescription medications. Its implementation requires amendments to the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008 act which will allow for the collection and use of your personal data regarding certain prescription medicines.

Critically, RTPM is not an opt-out system. This means that once the regulation is changed, these patient records must be provided to the NSW RTPM Database by law.

The NSW Ministry of Health is currently undergoing public consultation in order to hear the thoughts and concerns of those affected by this change. HCNSW and WayAhead want to ensure that the rights of their members are protected and that any potential issues regarding this change are recognised and formally expressed to the NSW Ministry of Health.

Who does this affect?

Anyone who is currently prescribed medicine that has been identified by medical advisors and researchers as “high-risk”. The list of monitored medicines is yet to be finalised, but will likely include:

  • Any substance in Schedule 8 (opioids, psychostimulants, some cannabis-based medicines, and some benzodiazepines)
  • All benzodiazepines when included in either Schedule 4 or 8
  • Codeine when in Schedule 4
  • Plus a number of other prescription medications (see RTPM Consultation Paper)

This means people managing the following conditions may, depending on their medication, have their prescriptions monitored and may find their access to existing medications changed: anxiety, depression, pain management, ADHD, sleep difficulties, and people who receive treatment for dependency on alcohol and other drugs. Palliative care treatment is NOT included in these changes.

How can I get involved?

There are three ways for you to get involved.

  1. For health consumers: If you are a patient, carer and/or family member of someone who might be affected by RTPM, please take the HCNSW/WayAhead survey for health consumers. THIS SURVEY IS NOW CLOSED.
  2. For health consumers: You can become a health consumer representative on the eHealth NSW/NSW Ministry of Health Real Time Prescription Monitoring and Enhanced Authority Management Program Consumer Advisory Group. To find out more click on 'News Feed' below and read about the eHealth/NSW Ministry of Health Real Time Prescription Monitoring CAG. APPLICATOINS TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE ADVISORY GROUP HAVE NOW CLOSED.
  3. For health consumer organisations: Register for one of two HCNSW/WayAhead consultation workshops for organisations whose members will likely be affected by RTPM. THE REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.