Prescription drug monitoring in Australia: capacity and coverage issues.

ecent years have seen increases in prescription of Rpharmaceutical opioids and benzodiazepines, and in the associated harms. This presents challenges for clinicians and governments regarding appropriate monitoring and responses. Real-time prescription drug monitoring programs (RT-PDMPs) are being considered in Australia to enable detection of drug diversion (when drugs are transferred from a licit to an illicit channel of distribution or use), and inappropriate prescribing or dispensing. RT-PDMPs are supported by professional bodies, but challenges exist for policy makers in terms of capacity and coverage.