on 58 Controlled Drug prescriptions. However, in the. Northern Territory,21,ssi,ll if a prescription for buprenorphine, buprenorphine/naloxone or methadone is ...
BUSINESS LEGAL GEMS
Script validity duration
GET UP-TO-DATE WITH MMS Australia's most comprehensive medication management software system has undergone significant upgrades to save time and add functionality for busy pharmacists. Webstercare's Medication Management Software (MMS) was designed specifically to support medication packing for pharmacies using Webstercare systems such as Webster-pak and
BY STEVEN T DICKFOS, DENISE L HOPE, BPHARM, & MICHELLE A KING
PBS prescriptions, including authority prescriptions and repeat authorisations, are valid for 12 months. The PBS explanatory notes defer to state and territory legislation for drugs listed as narcotic, specified or restricted.1 All states and territories are uniform with 6 months validity on 58 Controlled Drug prescriptions. However, in the Northern Territory,21,ssi,ll if a prescription for buprenorphine, buprenorphine/naloxone or methadone is not presented to a pharmacy or dosing point within 3 days of issue (or the start date), it is invalid and cannot be dispensed.31'4· 1 s1 Across Australia, all other prescriptions are valid for 12 months with some jurisdictional exceptions. New South Wales applies 6 months validity on prescribed restricted substances (54D medicines),41'401111911ii11 which includes benzodiazepines, barbiturates, anabolic steroids, 54 pseudoephedrine and anorectics.•IAppDITasmania applies 6 months validity on declared restricted substances or specified
psychotropic substances,s1'4611711bll which include medicines similar to those in Appendix D in NSW, such as benzodiazepines, anabolic steroids and anorectics.61s,h.,1
A database valued by academics for the quality and specificity of patient data it holds, MMS also offers pharmacies a range of features designed to improve efficiencies and support additional medication management services. Features offered by version 52 of MMS include: New Webster-pak 6CPA claim report for monthly claiming. Dispense Interface with all key pharmacy dispense systems. MedsPro system with a view of customer float totals. A 'quick discard' function allows the removal of ceased medication from the patient float. Clinical Improvements, such as a 'high risk' alert for Sifrol when added to a profile. Cytotoxic and warfarin alerts are also standard. Alerts prompt a double-checking of the entry or referral to a pharmacist for confirmation. Allergy recording improvements and pre-populated medication intervals have also been added. A new Drug Burden Index report calculates the risk of a person having a fall, based on their current medication regime. An Anti-Coagulant Usage report details the number of residents per facility who are prescribed anti-coagulant
Pharmacists practising in the Northern Territory, New South
medications. This useful tool enables facilities to be on the
Wales and Tasmania should check carefully the validity of
lookout for signs of bleeding to prevent haemorrhage.
the prescriptions that they dispense as state legislation takes precedence over PBS guidance.
References
1. Australian Government Department of Health. Exp!anator>' Notes Section 1(3) What Pharmacists Need to Knm,v. 2017; http://www.pbs.gov.au/tnfo/healthpro/explanarory-nores/section1/ Section_1_3_Explanatory_Notes. Accessed 23 October 2017. 2. Nor them Territorv of Australia. Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulations 2017 (12 April 2017). 2017; httpsi/legislation.nt.gov.au/Legislation/MEDICINES-POISONS-AND THERAPEUTIC-GOODS-REGIJLATIONS. Accessed 23 October 2017. 3. Northern Territory Government Dep
