Written by Kim Ledger and ScriptWise

There are multiple drivers behind the escalating problem of prescription medication misuse and overdose deaths in Australia. The lack of consumer awareness and health information technology are overarching reasons for why prescription medication overdose deaths have outnumbered road fatalities.

ScriptWise is a not for profit (NFP) organisation raising awareness of the potential harms and risks of prescription medication misuse. The organisation believes that in preventing further overdose deaths from prescription medications, there must be better coordinated efforts to improve patient education programs and real-time prescription monitoring.

Reports reveal 2.1 million Australians aged 14 and above use prescription medication for non-medical purposes.[1] In particular, Australians are the second highest users of prescribed opioids – powerful medications commonly used to treat chronic pain – worldwide. As a result, State Coroners nation-wide have been calling for the implementation of real-time prescription monitoring.

Initially, hopes in this regard were vested in the development of the Commonwealth system, otherwise referred to as the Electronic Recording and Reporting of Controlled Drugs (ERRCD) initiative. After two years of limited, and at times, contradictory information on the progress of this initiative to be rolled out nation-wide, the implementation of ERRCD has faltered.

Among the findings from the death of Glen David Kingsun, Victorian Coroner, Jacinta Heffey, stated “the ERRCD never promised the introduction of prescription monitoring system with universal coverage and was only ever intended to target those pharmaceutical drugs most vulnerable to misuse [Schedule 8 drugs].”[2]

“The delivery of a real-time prescription monitoring system is not particularly challenging from a technical perspective, as existing applications perform functions analogous to those required for a working real time prescription monitoring system,” argued Coroner Heffey.

Mr Kim Ledger, father of the late Australian actor, Heath Ledger and official Patron of ScriptWise, is urging both State and Federal Governments to acknowledge that prescription medication misuse and overdose is a national crisis, and it is time to adopt a multi-faceted approach to prevent further overdose deaths associated with prescription medications.

Mr Ledger said, “ScriptWise was born from the energy of many Australian families who have lost a child or relative to the misuse of prescription medication, and a year on, in driving this cause forward, we need the immediate support of prescribing doctors to demand for real time prescription monitoring.

“I am aware that there are many health professionals who witness the devastating impact of prescription medication misuse and are committed to reducing its harmful consequences. These health professionals are at the coal face and understand that the solution needs to happen at the point of care.”

Undeniably, when it comes to prescribing medicines of addiction, allowing prescribing doctors to have access to such tools is imperative.

“The families whom I have met in Victoria and Western Australia, who have been personally affected by prescription medication overdose, all strongly feel that a real-time prescription monitoring system would have prevented the death of a loved one,” said Mr Ledger.

CEO of ScriptWise, Ms Bee Mohamed explained that, “From ScriptWise’s perspective, we see great value in real-time prescription monitoring as part of the solution. This needs to happen at the point of care, within the doctor’s acceptable workflow practice, for which prescribing doctors are equipped with necessary tools to promote the quality use of medicines.

For more information about ScriptWise, head to www.scriptwise.org.au

1. AIHW: Australia’s Health 2014. Available at: http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=60129548150 [last accessed August 2015].

2. Finding into death without inquest. Coroners court of Victoria. Available at: http://www.coronerscourt.vic.gov.au/resources/bf07e772-0107-41de-807b-74e8d4bc177c/glendavidkingsun_255607.pdf [last accessed August 2015].