The ACT Government's online prescription monitoring website, known as DORA, is now available for health professionals.
DORA is an online clinical tool which will help to reduce the harm that can be caused by people misusing pharmaceuticals.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Meegan Fitzharris said for the first time in the ACT, eligible prescribers and pharmacists will have vital information available to them to assist in making better and safer clinical decisions for their patients, before a prescription is written or dispensed.
"ACT health professionals with access to DORA will be able to view all controlled medicines that have been dispensed to their patient in the ACT," Minister Fitzharris said.
"Whilst controlled medicines play an important role in patient treatment, unfortunately some controlled medicines can lead to an addiction or even an overdose when patients are able to access these medications inappropriately and or too frequently.
"This system will help health professionals to identify unusual patterns of use by a patient, such as incorrect, inappropriate and over-use.
"Controlled medicines include strong opioids used for pain such as oxycodone and morphine but they can also include stimulants such as dexamfetamine prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
"Unfortunately, the misuse of pharmaceuticals is a nation-wide problem and tragically the number of harms including deaths from prescription medicines is now higher than illegal drugs.
"I urge all eligible prescribers and pharmacists to apply and register for DORA and to commence using the system as part of their clinical practice.
"DORA has put the ACT on the front foot for adopting national real time prescription monitoring in the future, as the Federal Government plans to implement its national monitoring system from this year. The ACT Government is supportive and plans to adopt the full functions of the national system, following the rollout of DORA," Minister Fitzharris said.
*DAPIS Online Remote Access (DORA) is an extension of the Drugs and Poisons Information System (DAPIS), which is the regulatory business system used by ACT Health to monitor prescribing and supply of controlled medicines.
