Prescribing monitored medicines
Monitored medicines are listed in Part 4 of Schedule 2 of the Medicines and Poisons (Medicines) Regulation 2021 (MPMR). They include:
- all S8 medicines (including all approved opioids for the Queensland Opioid Treatment Program, all amfetamines and methylphenidate, referred to as psychostimulants)
- all benzodiazepines
- all codeine-containing products
- pregabalin and gabapentin
- quetiapine
- tramadol
- zolpidem and zopiclone.
All prescribers of approved opioids for the Queensland Opioid Treatment Program (methadone, buprenorphine, buprenorphine/naloxone for treating opioid dependency) must hold a prescribing approval.
A prescriber wishing to prescribe psychostimulants must hold a prescribing approval unless the prescriber is authorised to prescribe psychostimulants in the approved persons schedules of the MPMR.
Before prescribing a monitored medicine, a relevant practitioner is required to check the QScript database. Relevant practitioners are listed in Part 1, Schedule 18 of the MPMR.
When prescribing a monitored medicine, the prescriber must prescribe in accordance with the departmental standard Monitored Medicines (PDF 320 kB). Health practitioners can find guidance on how a prescriber may comply with the departmental standard Monitored Medicines in the Monitored Medicines Standard Companion Document (PDF 777 kB).
Prescriptions for monitored medicines
There are specific requirements for prescriptions for monitored medicines:
- All prescriptions must include the date of birth of the person being prescribed the monitored medicine.
- If a prescriber holds a prescribing approval for prescribing an approved opioid, the number of the prescribing approval must be included on the prescription.
- Prescriptions for approved opioids must comply with any prescription conditions specified in the prescriber’s approval.
- There are requirements for prescriptions generally and for prescriptions for Schedule 8 medicines that must be met.
The following provides further details about making a prescription:
