Supervised dosing of pharmacotherapy in community pharmacy has been the backbone of Victoria’s pharmacotherapy program for decades, with dedicated pharmacists making a positive difference in the lives of people participating in the MATOD program over this time.
You can apply to provide pharmacotherapy services by completing an application form found at the Department of Health pharmacotherapy forms page.
Although pharmacists do not require additional training in order to administer supervised dosing of pharmacotherapy, the Victorian Opioid Pharmacotherapy Program (VOPP), which covers supervised dosing of opioid pharmacotherapy in detail can be invaluable. It can be accessed for free (funded by the Department of Health) at the
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia website.
This VOPP covers supervised dosing of opioid pharmacotherapy in detail. Completion of part three of the training is mandatory for pharmacist accreditation to administer long-acting injectable buprenorphine.
Long-acting injectable buprenorphine (LAIB)
is an alternative to supervised dosing, available as a weekly or monthly depot injection. The full requirements for pharmacist administration of LAIB can be found in the
guidelines for pharmacist administration of depot buprenorphine.
Support for Opioid Dependence Treatment - Pharmacists
The Area 4 Pharmacotherapy Network offers a variety of supports for pharmacists managing patients with opioid dependence:
- Advice about accredited training and obtaining approval to provide pharmacotherapy services
- Advice about how to set up a new pharmacotherapy program
- Education for pharmacists, including Small Group Learning meetings and Community of Practice events
- Local ancillary services, such as Alcohol and other Drug and Mental Health services.
Contact the Area 4 Pharmacotherapy Network to access any of these free supports.
South Eastern Melbourne PHN
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SEMPHN acknowledges the Bunurong and Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies in which we work. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We also acknowledge all First Nations peoples with whom we work. Sovereignty was never ceded!