SHPA opioid epidemic alert

A LANDMARK report released by the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia has highlighted the urgent need for a “coordinated multidisciplinary response” to stem a looming opioid “epidemic”.

The paper exposes national inconsistencies in provision of pharmacy services to reduce risk of opioid misuse, poor handover of discharge information to GPs and “extremely high use of sustained release opioids”.

The document was produced using data from 135 hospitals across Australia, and follows SHPA’s inaugural Medicines Leadership Forum (PD 31 Jul) which gathered key health system stakeholders to look at ways of reducing opioid harm to patients after surgery.

SHPA found clinical pharmacy services were often unable to prioritise surgical patients being discharged, with these patients not having an appropriate review of their medication.

More than 70% of hospitals frequently supplied opioids to patients to take home “just in case” even when they did not need them in the 48 hours before discharge.

“The time to act is now,” said SHPA CEO Kristin Michaels.

See the report at shpa.org.au. MEANWHILE SHPA has wrapped up a record Medicines Management 2018 Conference, with over 1,300 delegates attending MM2018 in Brisbane last weekend.

The strong response provided a fitting finale to the presidency of Professor Michael Dooley, who is stepping down after four years of leading the organisation.

During that time strong financial growth within SHPA had enabled consistent investment in programs such as Speciality Practice, Residency, Mentoring and support for Advanced Practice credentialing.

Incoming SHPA President Peter Fowler paid tribute to Dooley, saying the organisation’s success was testament to his “vision and passion to inspire others”.

MM2019 will take place on the Gold Coast next year.