MSRS Here to Help Those Affected by Opioid Pack Changes

MSRS Here to Help Those Affected by Opioid Pack Changes

04 June, 2020

In a recent article titled ‘Painkiller packs cut down to size as opioid crackdown intensifies’ (27/05/20) The Age has highlighted how recent changes to medication pack sizes may impact consumers. From the beginning of June, pack sizes for immediate-release opioid medications for treatment of acute pain are to be halved. Under the new changes introduced by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), consumers using opioid medication for longer than a year will be referred to another medical practitioner for review. 

The article reports that larger packs of medication will be available to eligible patients who require long-term treatment of chronic pain with opioids, and doctors will be able to request authorisation of additional medication or repeats within tighter restrictions.

The Medication Support and Recovery Service (MSRS), funded by Eastern Melbourne PHN, recognises the need for people to receive support when changing their medication use. It is important that people using prescription or over-the-counter medications do not rapidly cease or change their doses without assistance.
The MSRS offers a range of services including withdrawal nursing; nurse practitioners; counsellors and peer support workers. 

Nurse practitioners can prescribe naloxone and provide pharmacotherapy treatment options, in addition to working collaboratively with GPs to create withdrawal plans for clients. Our experienced MSRS peer support workers provide 1:1 support and peer support groups.

The MSRS is accepting referrals from health professional as well as self-referrals. Referrals can be made by either:
  • Calling the Intake number on 1800 931 101; or
  • Completing a short form on the MSRS website (www.msrs.org.au)

This initiative is funded by Eastern Melbourne PHN under the Australian Government’s PHN program. To learn more about the changes to medication pack size, visit the TGA website.

For further information or for interviews, please contact:- Julius Ting (0403 410 797 or julius.ting@accesshc.org.au

About MSRS: The Medication Support and Recovery Service (MSRS) is a unique, community-based alcohol and other drug (AOD) service. The service helps people with prescription or over the counter medication misuse who may otherwise be reluctant to access an “addiction service”. The service also helps people who want to come off their medications, but do not know who to turn to.