Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Dependence (MATOD) – Regulatory information and resources

An authority under South Australian controlled substances legislation is required prior to prescribing or supplying a drug of dependence to a drug dependent person.

Completed MATOD Authority Application MATOD (PDF 2.2MB). Forms should be emailed or faxed to:

Drugs of Dependence Unit (DDU)

Phone: 1300 652 584
Fax: 1300 658 447
Email: HealthDrugsofDependenceUnit@sa.gov.au

Prescribers should contact DDU to obtain the authority number before prescribing.

ScriptCheckSA

ScriptCheckSA is software that provides prescribers and pharmacists with a real-time history of the high-risk medicines (monitored drugs) their patients’ have been prescribed and supplied.

The information available in ScriptCheckSA will help doctors and pharmacists make safer clinical decisions about which medicines to prescribe or supply to their patients.

Program information

The broad goal of the MATOD program is to reduce the health, social and economic harms to individuals and the community from non-medical use of opioids, rather than expecting abstinence from use. While abstinence can be an important long-term goal, it is acknowledged that despite efforts, many people will continue to have access to unsanctioned drugs and will use them in a way that puts them and society at risk of harm. Patients taking action to modify their drug use behaviour do not usually successfully achieve abstinence on their first attempt; relapses occur frequently.

In general, treatment of opioid dependence via the MATOD program is based on daily supervised dosing at a pharmacy or clinic. Supervised daily supply of methadone or buprenorphine (+/- naloxone) by a pharmacist or nurse allows patients to be assessed before dosing to maximise their safety and that of the community, and to minimise the risk of drug overdose, abuse and diversion.

In South Australia, all medical practitioners and nurse practitioners (within their scope of practice) can prescribe sublingual buprenorphine with naloxone film (Suboxone®) to treat opioid drug dependence for up to ten patients, without completing specialised MATOD training. With the recognised greater safety of buprenorphine/naloxone use in the treatment of opioid dependence, this may provide better access for patients to receive both MATOD and other medical treatment from their usual prescriber.

A medical practitioner must become accredited to:

  • prescribe methadone liquid or buprenorphine as a single agent
  • treat more than ten patients.

Accredited MATOD prescribers must complete appropriate training. Information about training is available on the SA - Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Dependence Prescriber training and education page.

Prescribing Buprenorphine

Accredited MATOD prescribers must notify the DDU in writing prior to prescribing buprenorphine as Subutex® for patients who are:

  • allergic to naloxone
  • on a low dose short-term withdrawal regime

Non-accredited MATOD prescribers can apply to the DDU to prescribe buprenorphine for patients:

  • if treatment has been initiated and stabilised by an accredited prescriber
  • on a low dose (≤2mg) short term withdrawal regime

Non-accredited MATOD prescribers with patients who become pregnant are recommended to seek advice regarding management from an accredited prescriber or Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia (DASSA).

For patients being prescribed buprenorphine, in most circumstances it is appropriate to continue any existing take away regimen.

Buprenorphine depot

From September 2019 buprenorphine depot injections will be listed on the PBS as a Section 100 drug for the treatment of opioid dependence (MATOD); this is the same as for methadone liquid, sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone film and buprenorphine tablets.

From a regulatory perspective this formulation will be treated like any other schedule 8 drug used for the treatment of opioid dependence. Prescribers will need to apply for, and be granted an authority before being able to lawfully prescribe buprenorphine depot. Applications for buprenorphine depot may require relevant specialist medical practitioner (e.g. Addiction Medicine) oversight and support.

Prescribers considering the buprenorphine depot formulation are encouraged and recommended to familiarise themselves with the product information and relevant education material around its supply and administration, as well as consider their professional obligations.

Pharmacists dispensing prescriptions for buprenorphine depot should exercise appropriate clinical and professional judgement. As this product is indicated for opioid dependence it is reasonable to expect that the risk of diversion or misuse be taken into account when dispensing prescriptions, and that direct supply to patients does not occur.

For Clinical advice about buprenorphine depot, please contact Drug and Alcohol Clinical Advisory Service 7087 1742.

Split dosing | Methadone only

Twice per day dosing (split dosing) of methadone may be considered for:

  • patients who rapidly metabolise methadone
  • vomiting and/or rapid metabolising during pregnancy
  • patients with acute pain (short term treatment with split dosing)

Accredited prescribers must notify the DDU in writing prior to prescribing split dosing of methadone.

Neonatal abstinence syndrome

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (also called NAS) is a syndrome of withdrawal in a baby following exposure to drugs in-utero. NAS is most often caused when a woman takes opioids during pregnancy and can be managed with morphine to treat neonatal withdrawal symptoms. In accordance with Regulation 22(2) of the Controlled Substances [Poisons] Regulations 2011 (SA), an authority is required when treatment exceeds 14 days of inpatient treatment or discharge medication. Authority to prescribe requires written application to the DDU, by a prescriber of a Local Health Network, generally a paediatrician in a neonatal unit.

Actions that may result in authority restrictions or termination of treatment

These may include:

  • suspected, attempted or confirmed diversion
  • unsanctioned drug use, intravenous drug use
  • continued drug seeking, prescription forgery/tampering
  • inappropriate storage of take away doses potentially resulting in theft or accidental death

The prescriber should clinically assess the patient and provide written notification to the DDU of the incident and the proposed management plan. Prescribers should use their clinical judgement to assess the benefits of continuing treatment and the risks of harm to the patient and community. MATOD provides an opportunity for patients to manage problematic use of opioids; forcing withdrawal from treatment may result in return to unsanctioned opioid use and drug related problems. It may be more appropriate to maintain treatment and seek support and clinical advice from DASSA and/or management.

If a decision is made to terminate treatment, prescribers must notify DDU via a completed Authority Application MATOD (PDF 2.2MB) form.

Important safety message

Due to risks of overdose and death associated with methadone and buprenorphine, it is important to appropriately counsel patients regarding the safe and secure storage of any prescribed take away doses. The methadone and buprenorphine not for kid's brochure (PDF 185KB) helps outline how to safely store medication and should be provided to all MATOD patients.

Other resources

Further information and advice

  • Drug and Alcohol Clinical Advisory Service (DACAS) (08) 7087 1742
    Provides 24-hour clinical advice from senior medical staff, regarding opioid dependent patients and patients with other drug and alcohol related issues
  • Drugs of Dependence Unit (DDU) telephone 1300 652 584 (office hours) Email: HealthDrugsofDependenceUnit@sa.gov.au
    Provides advice on prescribing from a regulatory view point