Summary
Date: 27 October 2015
The RACGP takes an active role in addressing issues of drug use and misuse, particularly through the development and provision of evidence-based guidelines and education in this area.
The RACGP thanks the Intergovernmental Committee on Drugs for the opportunity to comment on the National Drugs Strategy 2016-2025. Whilst the RACGP is active in the area of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, this submission focuses on prescription drug misuse.
This submission identifies four key areas we recommend the Intergovernmental Committee on Drugs should address in its National Drug Strategy 2016-2025:
- Acknowledgement of the role of general practice
- Infrastructure and support at the general practice clinical governance level
- Training and implementation of tools to assist appropriate prescribing drugs of dependence
- Medicare patient rebate for clinical review of opioids