Private opioid treatment clinics concerned for their businesses after government changes made in federal budget. Source: Soberconnections, Wikimedia Commons
17 private opioid treatment centres across Queensland and NSW are at risk of closing after changes made in last month’s federal budget.
These changes may be putting thousands of people struggling with addiction at risk, according to clinic operators.
If these facilities close, they say that more than 4,500 patients with opioid dependencies will be displaced and will be put at risk of crime and potentially harmful illicit drug use to cope with their withdrawal.
At last month’s federal budget, changes were made to the Opioid Dependence Treatment Program (ODTP) which will allow patients to buy medication to help with their withdrawal symptoms, including buprenorphine and methadone, through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
This would mean patients struggling with opioid addiction will be able to access their medication from some community pharmacies, rather than the current way, through state run facilities, private GPs, and clinics.
Federal Health Minister, Mark Butler, said that people with opioid dependencies have been “locked out” of getting their medication affordably through the PBS for “too long.”
“Once the change comes into effect, Australians seeking help for opioid dependency will be able to buy their treatments from pharmacies, paying a PBS co-payment instead of uncapped private prescription fees,” Mr Butler said.
However, private clinics and pharmacies in QLD and NSW have expressed concern for their businesses due to their role in treating up to 10 per cent of people with opioid dependence being “overlooked.”
While the decrease in cost for vital medication has been applauded, there is concern among some over a lack of state clinics, GPs, and pharmacies for the thousands of patients needing treatment.
Private clinics and treatment centres are arguing that the new availability and affordability of drugs like methadone and buprenorphine will cause damage to their businesses.
Pharmacist Andrew Pfeffer owns a specialist drug treatment centre in Logan providing treatment to those who can afford it.
He told the ABC that the new availability and affordability of drugs like methadone and buprenorphine would “destroy” the income of private dispensaries like his which he says “fill gaps” in care in Queensland and NSW.
“1st of July we will be closed,” Mr Pfeffer said.
“Once we close the patients will be left to their own devices – there will be no treatment for them at this service.”
State-run treatment clinics also offer prescribe opioid replacement medications, but in most places these services are already full.
Mr Pfeffer is warning of “imminent disaster” for the wider community as well as patients, many of whom have dependencies which stem from trauma.
