By BEN CAMERON
THERE is a limited supply of prescribers of methadone and other opioid replacement medication in the Cardinia Shire according to a pharmacotherapy coordinator.
South East Metropolitan Pharmacotherapy Liaison Coordinator Lynn Goon said there were “very few” services available in the shire outside of Bunyip.
“It’s hard to get info on the exact number but I believe there is one pharmacy in Pakenham and no prescribing GP,” she said.
“Unfortunately there is a negative perspective with methadone.”
Latrobe Community Health Service revealed there had been an 87 per cent increase in the number of people in Gippsland seeking help for opioid replacement medication, also known as pharmacotherapy.
Regional Pharmacotherapy Network Coordinator Elizabeth Plunkett said for every person who sought help, there could be as many as three others with an addiction who may struggle to get help due to insufficient services in the region.
She said she was aware of an influx of patients to a Bunyip medical centre for the prescription of methadone earlier this year but did not wish to comment on the matter.
Several local businesses believe an increase in shoplifting is linked to outsiders coming to town for prescriptions and are planning to call a meeting early next year for affected traders.
But Ms Plunkett said there was a need for more prescribers.
“We hope to encourage more doctors and pharmacies to participate in opioid replacement therapy,” she said.
Opioids can include heroin and some prescription pain medication, including some over-the-counter products.
“Right now, people are travelling from across the region to seek help. Pharmacotherapy services in the Latrobe Valley are already at capacity,” she said.
“There are limited prescribers.
“There is a massive shortage in pharmacotherapy services across Victoria, with many GPs who have high volumes of patients, anywhere from 100 to 300 patients, being near retirement.
“Methadone and suboxone have evidence to support their effectiveness in treating opioid addiction and have been listed as essential medicines by the World Health Organisation.”
However she said the prescription of methadone was “massively stigmatised”.
“There is also a stigma surrounding the program,” she said.
“It’s a problem state-wide.”
She said there were five Pharmacotherapy Area Based Networks state-wide which support and encourage doctors and pharmacies to become involved in pharmacotherapy.
