Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2008

An opioid dependency treatment licence issued to a pharmacist authorises the licence‑holder, and any other pharmacist at the community pharmacy (the licensed pharmacy) to which the licence relates, to do any of the following for the purpose of treating a person’s drug‑dependency:

issue a purchase order for buprenorphine or methadone;

obtain buprenorphine or methadone on a purchase order for administration at the licensed pharmacy;

possess buprenorphine and methadone;

dispense buprenorphine and methadone in accordance with a prescription;

supply buprenorphine and methadone to a nurse at the licensed pharmacy for administration at the pharmacy under the supervision of a pharmacist;

administer buprenorphine and methadone at the licensed pharmacy in accordance with a prescription (including the prescription as changed by a pharmacist at the oral direction of the prescriber).

An opioid dependency treatment licence issued to a pharmacist authorises a nurse to administer buprenorphine and methadone at the licensed pharmacy under the supervision of a pharmacist and in accordance with a prescription (including the prescription as changed by a pharmacist at the oral direction of the prescriber).

Note 1 Nurse does not include an enrolled nurse (see Legislation Act, dict, pt 1).

Note 2 Pharmacist does not include an intern pharmacist (see dict).

To remove any doubt, an authorisation under this section does not, by implication, limit a pharmacist’s or nurse’s authorisations under schedule 1 (Medicines—health-related occupations authorisations) in relation to other dealings with buprenorphine and methadone.