NSW Opioid Treatment Program (OTP)

The NSW Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) seeks to reduce the social, economic and health harms associated with opioid use. The OTP delivers pharmacotherapy and associated services to opioid dependent patients in NSW.

To enrol a patient on the NSW OTP authorisation from the NSW Ministry of Health is required.

Refer to NSW clinical guidelines: Treatment of opioid dependence for further information. Information is also available on Long-acting injectable buprenorphine (LAIB) for opioid dependence treatment .

Updated Centre for Alcohol and other Drugs (CAOD) guidelines are available to guide practitioner on using micro-dosing or bridging transfer techniques.

OTP medicines are part of the  Section 100 Highly Specialised Drugs (HSD) Program (Community Access) arrangements. For further information, including FAQs and example PBS scripts see Opioid Treatment Program – Transition to Section 100 Highly Specialised Drugs Program.

Forms

From 13 November 2023 SafeScript NSW can be used to submit and manage applications for authority to prescribe or supply Schedule 8 medicines under the OTP. SafeScript NSW allows prescribers to apply online to enrol a patient on the NSW OTP and add and update dosing points allowing health practitioners involved in patient care to have clarity on where the patient is being dosed.  

If you are unable to register for SafeScript NSW you may submit a completed application form via email to MOH-OTP@health.nsw.gov.au, or via fax to the Pharmaceutical Services Unit at (02) 9424 5885

• ​Application for Authority to Prescribe or Supply Methadone, Buprenorphine or Other Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) Treatment  under the NSW Opioid Treatment Program (updated form)
  
• Exit from Methadone, Buprenorphine or Other Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) Treatment under the NSW Opioid Treatment Program (updated form)
• Application for Authority to Prescribe or Supply Methadone (>200mg/day) or Buprenorphine (>32mg/day) under the Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) (updated form)​
  
  

Notifications and other information

• Prescribers are responsible for notifying the NSW Ministry of Health of any permanent change to a NSW OTP patient's dosing point. Dosing point changes can be made on SafeScript NSW or by submitting a NSW Opioid Treatment Program: Notification of Permanent Change in Dosing Point. For more information refer to Change in dosing point.
• Locum arrangements during planned leave
  
• OTP patients overseas travel dosing arrangement
  
• Updated temporary guidance on opioid agonist treatment (OAT) takeaways​ - dated 25 October 2023.
  

Interstate transfers​

Interstate prescribers who wish to temporarily transfer a patient to the NSW OTP are required to complete and submit an Application for Temporary Interstate Transfer to NSW Opioid Treatment Program.

For information about permanently transferring an OTP patient​ to NSW or temporarily transferring a NSW OTP patient to another State/Territory refer to the NSW Opioid Treatment Program.

Non-accredited prescribers

Medical and nurse practitioners must successfully complete the Fundamentals of Training and Opioid Treatment Accreditation Course (OTAC) to become an accredited OTP prescriber in NSW.

A NSW medical practitioner who has not received accreditation as a NSW OTP prescriber may be authorised by the Ministry of Health to manage up to 30 patients including:

• maximum of 10 patients treated with methadone who are referred by an accredited OTP prescriber
• maximum of 20 patients treated with buprenorphine or buprenorphine-naloxone, who may be inducted by a non-accredited prescriber or referred by an accredited OTP prescriber.

Non-accredited prescribers are encouraged to complete the free online ​Fundamentals ​Training course to ensure they understand the requirements for prescribing opioid pharmacotherapy for patients.

Authorisation to prescribe or supply methadone or buprenorphine (including buprenorphine-naloxone) must be granted by the NSW Ministry of Health before a prescription may be issued to commence treatment.