Question On Notice No. 1813 asked in the Legislative Council on 6 December 2018 by Hon Martin Aldridge
Question Directed to the: Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Health
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
I refer to the Federal Government’s decision to make codeine based medicines prescription only from 1 February 2018, and I ask:
(a) how many codeine based prescriptions have been issued since 1 February 2018;
(b) what effect has the rescheduling had on the State’s health system;
(c) has the State Government commenced discussions with the Federal Government and other States regarding the implementation of a real-time monitoring system for prescription medications; and
(d) if yes to (c), how advanced are those discussions and when do you anticipate a system will be implemented?
Answered on 14 March 2019
I am advised that:
(a) This information is not collected by the Western Australia (WA) Department of Health.
(b) There has been no reported specific impact on the public health system in WA as a result of codeine rescheduling.
(c) The State Government is in discussion with the Federal Government and other States and Territories regarding the implementation of a real-time monitoring system for certain problematic prescription medications.
(d) The discussions relate to a program of work to build a National Data Exchange (NDE). The design of the NDE is at a mature stage and the selected provider is currently engaging with WA and other States and Territories on technical and regulatory matters. It is anticipated that the NDE may be ready some time in 2019 for States and Territories to commence entry into a National real-time monitoring system.