National pharmaceutical drug misuse framework for action, Australia

Pharmaceutical drugs provide a broad range of benefits to Australians. The myriad of medications available enhance our quality of life and many are widely and appropriately used in the community. The fact that some medicines are also subject to misuse, or poor quality use, in no way detracts from these benefits. In addition, Australia is fortunate that its Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) makes many medicines readily accessible by world standards.

Nevertheless, the misuse and poor quality use of these medications is an issue of increasing concern in some circumstances. This trend involves a wide range of pharmaceutical drugs, but opioids (both prescription and non-prescription) and benzodiazepines are of particular concern.

Australia has experienced a substantial increase in opioid supply in recent years (Dobbin, 2011) with a range of associated harms including:

• the risk of blood borne diseases and the specific harms associated with injection and inhalation of oral pharmaceuticals
• individuals seeking treatment for prescription opioid or benzodiazepine dependence;
• levels of trafficking in, and police seizures of, pharmaceutical drugs; and
• robbery, theft, identity fraud, extortion and the manufacture of illicit drugs.

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