How many perscribers am I allowed

[Oxycondone]

Now before anyone goes crazy and thinks I'm trying to doctor shop that is not the case, I am just curious about my situation.

Ok so I have legitimate spinal problems and while I was getting tests done my GP prescribed my IR oxycodone. After my tests came in I was refereed to a pain specialist and he bumped up my dose and prescribed my more oxy (after my first box ran out). Then I went back to my regular GP, separate to the first 2 and he kept the prescription going. Later after Uni break I moved to my parents home, found a new GP and he has been refilling my IR oxy and added oxycontin to my prescriptions as well. As uni is starting I have moved back and my regular GP said my oxy should have run out and had a prescription printed for me without me saying anything.

Just wondering with 4 doctors prescribing me oxy at various points in the past (I only see two regularly depending on where I am located, hence not doctor shopping) will PBS think I'm shopping and contact any of them? My script goes for 10 days and I generally get it refilled every 2-3 weeks, though atm I have a box of oxy and 2 scripts for more (because of my liberal use of the meds), will they get notified if I filled one of those before waiting for my 10 day period (I am going camping with mates for a week so would run out if I don't).

 

[Crankinit]

Did you inform each doctor of what you'd been prescribed by the others? That's a fairly major factor.

 

[MrIbis]

Agreed with Crank, if you've been telling these doctors of your situation, and given it's only 2 that you see regularly - so long as the visits haven't been overlapping eachother (ie; two scripts running at the same time) it shouldn't be an issue - worst case scenario is that Medicare will contact your prescribing doctors and discuss the situation - so long as there's no cause for concern you shouldn't have an issue.

Good Luck

 

[Conscious21]

IIRC the prescription shopping list picks up people who've been to more than 6 docs in 3 months. Someone (Belarki?) recently posted the link below which has some more info about it if you're worried:

http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/pbs/prescription-shopping/index.jsp

 

[cheap L]

Doctors are allowed to prescribe opiates for 4 months without authority, after which they must ring up and register you to a drug for a reason and get a number code. then any opiates will be only dealt out through that authority script.
it may get knocked back or they can ring DPU (drugs & poisons unit) to see who's on the register already.
but if they don't register you before 4 months then its a free for all.

pharmacists can't tell unless it's over the allowed amount under the 4 month rule.
if you go to the same pharmacist, they may call the GP and tell them that two doctors are giving the same drug.

so if you do different places, it's cool. if it's your first time, just say that the drugs went missing, got ruined etc.
if you are trying to shop around, please be careful of the usual addiction, life slaving to opiates etc.

http://www.health.vic.gov.au/dpu/downloads/s8permit.pdf

 

[bobbydarren]

In victoria it's a criminal offence not to inform a dr that's prescribes you S8 medicines that a Dr has prescribed you an S8 drug during a certain period of time before. For example. If the duration is 60 days, then if you were to be prescribed oxycodone by a Dr today, and you were last prescribed oxycodone by a different dr 55 days ago then it would be technically a criminal offence not to inform your current prescribing dr.

*The 60 days is an example. I have forgotten what the actual time period is.

 

[Mr. Squiggle!]

Schedule 8 drugs are monitored closely by the right department in whatever state that you currently reside in, and more to the point, are monitored by Medicare.

Now considering that you have seen 4 doctors who have all prescribed you Oxycodone, in one form or the other, I will go out on a limb here and say that Medicare is watching you and your doctors' prescribing patterns.

PBS has nothing to do with it. PBS stands for Pharmaceutical's Benefit Scheme. Medicare are a legitimate federal authority.

University while you're in the state of 'pain' and drug abuse as you are, is out of the question.

May I suggest that you opt out for a less addictive, less life ruining and more to the point, life threatening drug, such as Tramadol/Codeine or even Bupe patches...I don't want to see another drug addict dead bro. I share my concern and thoughts with you. Also try PT in the mix.

 

[Mr Blonde]

PBS has nothing to do with it. PBS stands for Pharmaceutical's Benefit Scheme. Medicare are a legitimate federal authority.

The PBS is the only mechanism via which Medicare is able to pick up some doctor shoppers. If the scripts he is getting filled are being subsidized under the PBS, then pharmacy has to send their copies off to Medicare each month in order to get paid for them. That's when Medicare notices anything unusual, as they go over the scripts. They are pretty good at noticing things, as they are sticklers for the rules especially if the pharmacy has fucked up in putting the right stickers on, getting signatures, etc... because they won't pay if it's not right.

If it's a private script though, Medicare won't know about it. The DDU will though.

 

[Oxycondone]

Thanks everyone for the help and information.

@crank The doctors know I have been seeing the other doctors due to me moving between towns but unless they have looked up my prescription details I have never mentioned them.

I'm not to concerned because I have legitimate reasons for seeing multiple doctors (ie my houses are 300km apart). It was just the overlapping script has never happened to me before.

As for state authorisation, I have been on and off oxy for 3-4 years now so I'm not particularly new to it however I only once got a state authorization and that was years ago. That would be invalid now but I haven't seen the same doctor for 4 months in a row yet so I shouldn't have to worry for at least another month I hope. I really hope I get another state authorization soon because being a nerve problem with only a minor disk prolapse it isn't to easy to prove my pain. Oxy and pregabalin combo is the only thing I have found to be beneficial so far, so I really hope they keep me on it. Heck my GIT is fucked without it too, I can't even eat without feeling violently ill.