Text Alternative - Guide for Pharmacies exiting the Opioid Treatment Program: Facilitating change of dosing points

​Discuss the process with the client

Pharmacists have a duty of care to discuss the change of dosing point process with the client, including:

• The date by which they need to change dosing points.
• Information about other local dosing points options, referring to Opioid Treatment Line: 1800 642 428 if needed.
• Pharmacists will liaise with the prescriber to advise of the decision to cease providing OTP services and that alternative dosing points have been discussed with client.

Pharmacists should notify the Pharmaceutical Regulatory Unit that they will cease providing OTP.

Liaise with Prescriber

Contact the prescriber to inform them of changes and provide details of:

1. planned date of last dose to be dispensed by the current dosing point,
1. including any takeaway doses, if any, to be provided on the date of last dose
2. Details of the new dosing point to be agreed with prescriber.

To support a safe transfer, pharmacists and prescribers should consider co-ordinating the timing of last dose inc. takeaway doses to last until an appointment with the prescriber can be arranged.

Prescribers should notify the NSW Ministry of Health of any permanent change to a NSW OTP client's dosing point using this form.

Clinical information to provide

Once the prescriber has been contacted and a transfer has been arranged, provide the following information in writing to the prescriber and to the new dosing point.

A summary of patient details including:

• medication(s) dispensed
• last dose details including any take-away doses provided
• new dosing point contact (if known)

Any other relevant information to support the transfer of dosing point.

Provide contact details in case follow up information is required.

Client support

• Opioid Treatment Line 1800 642 428
• NUAA Peer line 1800 644 413
• Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) NSW 1800 250 015 or web chat

Health professional clinical support

• Drug and Alcohol Specialist Advisory Service (02) 8382 1006 (Sydney Metro) / 1800 023 687 (rural remote NSW)
• Pharmacy Guild NSW branch – 9467 7100 (pharmacy incentive scheme support)
• PSA Pharmacist Advice Line: 1300 369 772 (available for PSA members)

Advice about NSW Health OTP authorities and legislative requirements

Pharmaceutical Regulatory Unit Tel: (02) 9424 5921 or 9391 9944 (select option 4), email: MOH-OTP@health.nsw.gov.au

Finding a dosing point     

Contact the Opioid Treatment Line (1800 642 428). Or contact your Local Health District drug and alcohol service for assistance