SEQ suburb tops painkiller prescription list
New data shows potentially dangerous opioid-based painkillers are being handed out at a faster rate north of Brisbane than any other regional area in Australia – but one doctor says this is a ‘false alarm’.
Moreton
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A PROMINENT Bribie Island doctor has labelled painkiller use as a serious community issue, but says a new study into regional prescription rates was a “false alarm” for the region.
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New Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) data shows Bribie has the highest rate of opioid-based painkiller prescriptions of any “country area” nationwide.
Local doctors issued 14 opioid scripts for every 10 residents each year.
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But that statistic is tempered by the fact that the island has an average age almost 13 years older than the Australian average.
Bribie Island also had the highest rate of cancer — which often requires painkillers — but surprisingly had the 59th highest rate of arthritis of the regional areas.
Goodwin Drive Family Medical Centre principal doctor Leo Blanco said those results were relevant to the age demographic of the island.
“I’m not surprised about that if you’re simply looking at statistics,” he said.
“You need to look deeper into the age of the population, the reason they are prescribed the medication and how many people genuinely need this type of pain relief.
“Most elderly people on this medication have chronic and debilitating conditions, some are on end of life treatment and this medication assists greatly in reducing their pain and suffering.”
The bulk billing practice has a strict policy regarding the prescribing of opioids and S8 medications.
It does not prescribe these medications at the first consultation and patients requiring this type of medication are reported to two national painkiller databases to avoid over prescribing or addiction issues.
“These medications if misused can be addictive, harmful and potentially life threatening.” Dr Blanco said.
“If a patient gets addicted and the medication is abused or used in conjunction with alcohol or other drugs, that’s where the problem lies.
“We have been exposed to patients with addiction problems. It can be difficult but we try to educate them not give them more medication, we want to help them if we can.”
Patients with addiction problems are sometimes referred to Caboolture Hospital’s Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drugs Service (ATODS) program.
Alcohol is the most common concern for ATODS with 47 per cent of all patient presentations, while opioids, primarily oxycodone, accounted for nine per cent in the past 12 months.
Of the 103 cases, people aged 60 years or over were the most represented age group.
“Opioids may have a place in helping some people to manage pain, but they are only one avenue in a suite of medication and non-medication strategies including those which support physical and psychological health,” a Metro North Hospital and Health Service spokesman said.
“Hospitals and local GPs work closely across the Moreton Bay region to make sure patients are being referred into the most appropriate channels, to receive the most appropriate treatment.”
State Liberal MP for Pumicestone Simone Wilson said she would follow up with state and federal ministers to learn more about the issue.
Phone Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) on 1800 177 833 if you or someone you know need help dealing with drug use.
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