Opioids

The Australian Government  recently announced changes to prescription opioid regualtions, to take effect from June 2020.  These changes are designed to improve the safe and effective use of opioid medications, and bring Australia in line with internationally recognised standards for best practice in Pain Medicine.

Northern Pain Centre fully supports our government in these aims, and is committed to evidence-based Pain Medicine practice.

The new regulations relate to managing prescriptions for long term opioid therapy, and therefore impact mostly on patients receiving these treatments for chronic pain.

Opioids are just one of the multiple modes of therapy available to assist in the management of chronic pain.  If you would like to learn about other treatment options, and reduce your reliance on prescription opioid therapy, please discuss this with your GP or Pain Medicine Specialist.