Important Information: April 2020 SafeScript Requirements for Victorian Practices
From April 2020 it will be mandatory for all Victorian prescribing clinicians to check SafeScript prior to writing or dispensing a prescription for high-risk medications.
The Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981 specifies penalties that can be imposed on clinicians if they do not take all reasonable steps to check SafeScript when prescribing or dispensing a high-risk medicine so it is extremely important that your Practice is prepared and has started using SafeScript prior to the April deadline.
The implementation of SafeScript at your Practice will allow prescribing and dispensing records for certain high-risk medicines to be transmitted in real-time to a centralised database which can then be accessed by doctors and pharmacists during a consultation. SafeScript provides prescribers and pharmacists with a clinical tool to make safer decisions about the prescribing or dispensing of high-risk medicines, and facilitate the early identification, treatment and support for patients who are developing signs of dependence.
What can you do to start preparing now?
For Bp Premier Practices:
- Ensure each clinician has registered for SafeScript via the SafeScript website
- Ensure you are using the latest release of Bp Premier
- Your practice must use eRx or MediSecure as your electronic prescription service
- Your practice must have at least one location in Victoria defined in Setup > Practice Details
- Enable the ‘Safe Script’ function via Preferences for each prescribing clinician within your Practice
For Bp VIP.net Practices:
- Ensure each clinician has registered for SafeScript via the SafeScript website
- Your practice must use eRx as your electronic prescription service
- Option 1: An integrated version of SafeScript will be available for BpVIP.net users in March 2020. Once this is made available, we recommend installing and configuring SafeScript as soon as possible
- Option 2: If you would like to start using SafeScript now, users can download a non-integrated version of SafeScript. Please click here for the Installation Guide provided by SafeScript
For VIP Gold Practices:
- Ensure each clinician has registered for SafeScript via the SafeScript website
There will be no integrated solution available for VIP Gold users, due to this prescribing clinicians will need to login to the SafeScript portal and complete a check prior to prescribing any high-risk medications within VIP Gold.
To support our Victorian Practices through this change, we will soon commence engaging those Practices that have not yet started using SafeScript to provide support and guidance in relation to implementing all requirements prior to April 2020.
In the interim, if you would like to know more about SafeScript please visit the SafeScript website and the SafeScript brochure for Healthcare Professionals. The SafeScript General Enquiries team can be contacted on 03 9096 5633 or via email safescript@dhhs.vic.gov.au. Further information regarding this initiative can also be directed to our Commercial Partnership team on 1300 40 1111, option 4.