Opioid substitution treatment in primary care

For authorised primary care prescribers providing opioid substitution treatment prescriptions for addiction treatment with stable clients in Shared Care, under the ongoing oversight of a specialist OST service.

Learning objectives

• Understand the role of primary care prescribers within a Shared Care OST arrangement.
• Identify the legal and operational requirements that need to be in place before OST prescribing can occur.
• Write OST prescriptions that align with the specialist OST service written authorisation and local pharmacy processes.
• Conduct routine OST review appointments for stable clients in Shared Care.
• Recognise clinical or operational concerns that may require advice from, or transfer back to, the specialist OST service.
• Support safe, respectful, recovery-oriented and stigma-free OST care in primary health care.

Acknowledgements

Content developed by Maryam Behayaa, Addiction pharmacist /pharmacist prescriber, and Sony Jinu, OST service clinical supervisor/key worker. It was reviewed by Dr Geoff Richards, Addiction Services medical officer/GP.

This eLearning is sponsored with an unrestricted educational grant from: