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Western suburbs doctors concerned about prescription drug abuse
26 August 2011
Doctors in Melbourne’s Western Suburbs have expressed their concern over increasing rates of prescription drug abuse, said AMA Victoria Board Member Dr Gary Speck.
“An increasing number of people are abusing prescription drugs in our community,” said Dr Speck. “Some drugs which are valuable therapeutic tools also have the potential for abuse and addiction when used inappropriately.”
Dr Speck made his comments following a meeting of doctors from Melbourne’s western suburbs earlier this week with representatives from AMA Victoria.
Recently released data shows that the Cities of Hume, Brimbank, Moreland and Maribyrnong all had more than 100 ambulance callouts related to benzodiazepine use in 2009/10.
Figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare show the number of Australians who used pharmaceuticals for non-medical purposes in 2010 increased by more than 100,000 people from 2007 levels.
“This is a growing problem in Victoria and Australia and one which requires a variety of solutions. The public needs to be better educated about the risks of prescription drug abuse and doctors need better tools to ensure that the right patients get the right medication,” said Dr Speck.
“AMA Victoria has called for an online, real-time prescription monitoring system so doctors and chemists can look at what’s been recently prescribed to a patient.”
Earlier this month Coroner John Olle also called for a real-time prescription monitoring system. A similar system is currently being rolled out for pharmacists and GPs in Tasmania.
At the meeting doctors had the opportunity to take the floor to update their colleagues on issues of concern and ideas for improving health care in the region.
“In addition to prescription drug abuse, other issues high on the agenda for local doctors is the increasing workforce shortage in Melbourne’s west,” said Dr Speck. “It is getting more and more difficult for health services and GP clinics to find staff in Melbourne’s west.”
AMA Victoria regularly meets with doctors at meetings across Victoria.
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