TGA Communication and education workshop on appropriate use of opioids

Painaustralia participated in a workshop organised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to bring together clinical and consumer stakeholders to discuss a coordinated approach to communication and education on the reforms to the regulation of prescription opioid medicines.

The goals of the workshop were to:

• Understand the behaviour changes by prescribers and patients being sought by the change in regulation
• Understand current communication and education activities
• Identify potential targeted activities which can be proposed for funding by government in the short and longer term to achieve a reduction in opioid harms and misuse of opioids, while continue to maintain access to patients with a clinical need.

Painaustralia CEO Carol Bennett covered the main activities we have been engaged with in minimising opioid related harm, as well as mapped out the key areas of the National Strategic Action Plan that align to ensuring appropriate use of opioids.

An important outcome from the Workshop was the positive decision that TGA will work with stakeholders to assist with the delivery of a change and adoption campaign to support the new reforms to and ensure appropriate use of prescription opioids.