For pharmacists practising in Tasmania
Legislation
Buprenorphine is classified as a Schedule 8 – Controlled Drug under the Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard – February 2023) Instrument 2023. In Tasmania pharmacists who are accredited to dose under the Tasmanian Opioid Pharmacotherapy Program (TOPP) currently administer Schedule 8 drugs in other formulations (oral liquid, sublingual tablet and film) in the treatment of opioid dependence.
The legislative framework in Tasmania supports pharmacists to administer depot buprenorphine. The Poisons Act 1971 allows a pharmacist to supply (which includes administration) narcotic (Schedule 8) substances to a person in accordance with a valid prescription, and the interpretation of the term ‘supply’ in the Poisons Act 1971 includes administration.
Overview
Pharmacists who are authorised pharmacist immunisers with the Tasmanian Department of Health and accredited to dose under the Tasmanian Opioid Pharmacotherapy Program (TOPP) in an approved pharmacy can now gain an additional accreditation to administer depot buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid dependence to clients in community pharmacy. Pharmacy practice settings must meet the required standard for conducting vaccinations in Tasmania.
This training will form part of pre-requisite training required for pharmacists to administer depot buprenorphine to both support increased awareness of depot buprenorphine and facilitate pharmacist injection of depot buprenorphine in Tasmania. This training can be conducted by any Tasmanian pharmacist and there are no pre-requisites to sitting this training.
Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate an understanding of substance use disorder and the role of depot buprenorphine in its management
- Assess the appropriateness of administering depot buprenorphine including safety
- Collaborate with clinicians in the induction of a client onto depot buprenorphine and understand dose titration according to clinical response
- Recognise the correct technique to administer depot buprenorphine subcutaneously
- Respond appropriately to any safety or other issues that may arise during administration of depot buprenorphine
- Appropriately document the process of depot buprenorphine administration and outcomes and communicate any relevant information to the prescriber in a timely manner
How to Access the LAIB Course
College Members
College members can use their existing username and password for the College's learning management system to complete the LAIB course.
Access LAIB Course
Guild Proprietor Members
Guild Proprietor Members who have activated their complimentary College membership can use their existing username and password to access the College's CPD Library. Follow the link below to access the LAIB course.
Access LAIB Course
Guild Proprietor Members who have not activated their complimentary College membership can complete the online activation form to set-up their College membership. Once your complimentary College membership has been activated, the College team will provide you with the steps to access the College's learning management system. Please allow up to 48 hours for your access to be enabled.
Activate your Guild Proprietor Member account
Non-members
Those pharmacists that are not a member of the College or the Guild will need to become a College member via the link below. Once you join the College, the College team will provide you with the steps to access the College's learning management system.
As this is a complimentary training course, you can join the College as a non-member but we strongly encourage you to join as a Pharmacist Member to gain access to the College's extensive CPD Library for your ongoing professional development.
Become a College Member
CPD Credits
This educational activity addresses the following competencies in the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia 2016. Pharmacists who have identified these areas for improvement in their personal learning plan can use this course to help meet their learning needs.
1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5
This online learning activity has been accredited for 3.0 hours of Group 1 CPD (or 3.0 CPD credits), suitable for inclusion in an individual pharmacist's CPD plan, which can be converted to 3.0 hours of Group 2 CPD (or 6 CPD credits) upon successful completion of relevant assessment activities.
Accreditation number: A2305LAIB1-TAS
Accreditation Expiry: 31 May 2025
The Australasian College of Pharmacy, and their partner Guild Learning and Development, would like to thank the Tasmanian Government for their financial and subject matter assistance in developing this course.
