Prescribing buprenorphine with naloxone in film form (Suboxone®) for opioid dependence (non-accredited prescribing)

In South Australia a medical practitioner does NOT need to be accredited to prescribe buprenorphine with naloxone in film form for up to ten patients for opioid dependence.

Medical practitioners need to obtain a Section 18A Controlled Substances Act 1984 (SA) authority (PDF 185KB) from the SA Health Drugs of Dependence Unit prior to prescribing a drug of dependence for the treatment of opioid dependence. This authority must be obtained before treatment commences.

The Drugs of Dependence Unit can be contacted on 1300 652 584 Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. You can email Drugs of Dependence Unit at DrugsofDependenceUnit@sa.gov.au

The following resources provide further information about prescribing this drug.

This latter document can be used as a checklist of steps to be taken when patients are being initiated into medication assisted treatment with buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone®)

Additional clinical resources

A medical practitioner must become ACCREDITED if they wish to:

  • prescribe buprenorphine/naloxone film for more than ten patients at one time 

OR

  • prescribe:
    • methadone liquid
    • buprenorphine as a single agent (Subutex®) or
    • DEPOT buprenorphine.

More information

For more information go to SA - MATOD Prescriber training and education page or contact the GP Program Project Coordinator: (08) 7425 5045.

Email: HealthDASSAGPProgram@sa.gov.au

An Introduction to Suboxone video

Starting someone on Suboxone video

Pharmacy related issues video

A GP’s perspective video