This module provides foundation information to help you and your practice/pharmacy prepare for conversations with patients about the potential risks of dependence with high-risk medicines. It explores the elements of best practice communication and how to apply effective communication strategies when explaining the risks of long-term use before prescribing or dispensing high-risk medicines. The module also outlines how to implement practice policies, set behaviour standards and use de-escalation techniques to reduce safety risks for health professionals and patients in challenging situations.

Developed for the Department of Health and Human Services, Victoria.

Target audience: General practitioners, prescribers of high-risk medicines and pharmacists in Victoria. View details

Open to: Access restricted to health practitioners in Victoria

This module provides you with an opportunity to reconsider how you manage safety concerns about patients with prescription medicine dependence or those showing signs of high-risk use. It explores planning approaches for the consultation, strategies for the practice and collaboration with other health professionals, and provides you with an opportunity to review available management and treatment options. The module will refresh your knowledge of alternative options for managing chronic pain, anxiety and insomnia, including non-pharmacological approaches and other lower risk pharmacological treatments. It will also outline the key steps involved in prescribing medication-assisted treatment for opioid dependence (MATOD) for patients with opioid dependence.

Developed for the Department of Health and Human Services, Victoria.


Target audience: General practitioners and other prescribers of high-risk medicines in Victoria.

Open to: Access restricted to health practitioners in Victoria

This module provides you with an opportunity to reconsider how you manage safety concerns about patients with prescription medicine dependence or those showing signs of high-risk use. It explores planning approaches for the consultation, strategies for the practice and collaboration with other health professionals, and provides you with an opportunity to review available management and treatment options. The module will refresh your knowledge of alternative options for managing chronic pain, anxiety and insomnia, including non-pharmacological approaches and other lower risk pharmacological treatments. It will also outline the key steps involved in prescribing medication-assisted treatment for opioid dependence (MATOD) for patients with opioid dependence.

Developed for the Department of Health and Human Services, Victoria.


Target audience: Pharmacists practicing in Victoria

Open to: Access restricted to health practitioners in Victoria

CPD points: Self-directed CPDView details


This module provides an overview of SafeScript – the Victorian Government's real-time prescription monitoring system. It provides you with an opportunity to update your knowledge on the increasing harms from high-risk prescription medicines, and to learn how SafeScript provides additional information to assist with clinical decisions when prescribing or dispensing high-risk medicines. The module also outlines ways to manage and maintain patient privacy when using SafeScript, and the key regulatory requirements relating to use of the system.

Developed for the Department of Health and Human Services, Victoria.

Target audience: General practitioners, prescribers of high-risk medicines and pharmacists in Victoria. View details

Open to: Access restricted to health practitioners in Victoria