It has been one year since SafeScript NSW, the state’s real time prescription monitoring system, became available to all practising prescribers and pharmacists in NSW.
Through SafeScript NSW, prescribers and pharmacists have access to real-time information about a patient’s prescribing and dispensing history for certain highrisk medicines. This information helps prescribers and pharmacists to make safer clinical decisions and reduces the incidence of harm, including death, from the unsafe use of monitored medicines.
Positive feedback from health practitioners
Delivered by eHealth NSW in partnership with the Ministry of Health, SafeScript NSW’s uptake has been strong and health practitioners report they find it to be a helpful clinical tool.
Dr Gunjan Singh, Principal Doctor, Crestwood Family Practice, said SafeScript NSW empowers both practitioners and patients, providing additional information to support decision making.
“Through a patient focused approach, SafeScript NSW supports a team-based, transparent and supportive culture in prescribing and using monitored medicines.”
And according to Scott Walters, Pharmacist and Pharmacy Tutor, University of Sydney: “SafeScript NSW is an essential tool to assist pharmacists in taking a multidisciplinary, person-centred approach to patient care.”
In the 12 months since SafeScript NSW was introduced, more than 22,000 health practitioners have registered (66% of general practitioners and 64% of pharmacists in NSW). In addition, more than 270,000 unique patient records have been viewed by eligible health practitioners.
Next step: improving monitored medicine regulation
eHealth NSW implemented a new digital solution to manage the application process for authority to prescribe a controlled drug under the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1966 (NSW).
This solution is used by the NSW Ministry of Health’s Pharmaceutical Regulatory Unit and aims to help improve regulation and supply of monitored medicines. It replaces the Electronic Recording and Reporting of Controlled Drugs (ERRCD) system previously used by the Ministry.
Later this year, new functionality will be introduced to allow prescribers to submit authority applications online and track progress and reduce turnaround time.
This new feature will be available in the SafeScript NSW health practitioner portal, providing a central location to support prescribers in their clinical decision-making when monitored medicines are involved in a patient’s care.
Find out more
You can also learn more by visiting the SafeScript NSW solutions page.
The news item above is included in our eHealth NSW July 2023 newsletter.
Download the July 2023 newsletter
