Scriptwise launches new community toolkits to mark International Overdose Awareness Day
ScriptWise has launched two new community toolkits to help Australians avoid the harms associated with using certain high-risk medicines.
The interactive ‘prescription opioid’ community toolkit features videos with experts in the field and outlines the role of prescription opioids in managing pain, the risks associated with long-term use and alternatives.
The toolkit also presents the latest research on the role of opioids in pain management which has found while opioids are strong pain relievers in the short-term, long-term use can lead to many other harms and worse pain than avoiding the medication altogether.
ScriptWise and the Faculty of Pain Medicine (ANZCA) also recently released a joint statement to advise patients to avoid using opioid medications in combination, or with other central nervous system depressants like alcohol.
The combined use of these medications can lead to increased risks of sedation, problems with breathing and a reduced drive to breathe, which can lead to death.
The toolkits were launched on International Overdose Awareness Day (August 31) as part of ScriptWise’s efforts to address the increase in overdose deaths due to prescription medications.Access the community toolkits: