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.
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).
Prescribing approved opioids
All prescribers of approved opioids (methadone, buprenorphine, buprenorphine/naloxone for treating opioid dependency) for the Queensland Opioid Treatment Program (QOTP) must hold a prescribing approval as these medicines are restricted medicines.
Read more about the QOTP, including training requirements.
Prescribing psychostimulants
Psychostimulants (amfetamines or methylphenidate) are also restricted medicines. A prescriber seeking to prescribe psychostimulants must hold a prescribing approval unless the prescriber is specifically authorised to prescribe psychostimulants in the approved persons schedules of the MPMR.
Further information on prescribing psychostimulants (PDF 295 kB)
Prescriptions for monitored medicines
There are requirements for prescriptions generally and for prescriptions for Schedule 8 medicines that must be met. In addition, 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 the medicine is a restricted medicine (including approved opioids and psychostimulants)— the details of the prescriber’s authorisation to prescribe the restricted medicine, e.g. the identifying number of the prescribing approval held by the prescriber, or a specialist’s qualifications.
- If the S8 medicine is amfetamine, dexamfetamine, lisdexamfetamine or methylphenidate—the words ‘specified condition’ or words to indicate the condition being treated.
- For approved opioids:
- If a prescriber holds a prescribing approval for prescribing an approved opioid, the number of the prescribing approval
- the name of the place where the approved opioid is to be dispensed or given
- instructions for how 1 or more doses of the medicine are to be dispensed or given, including the circumstances (if any) in which the patient may be given a dose
- the start and end dates for when 1 or more doses of the opioid are to be dispensed or given.
- If a prescriber holds a prescribing approval , then the prescription must also comply with any conditions specified in the approval.
The following provides further details about making a prescription: