About the program
The Queensland opioid treatment program (QOTP) provides treatment to people experiencing opioid dependence. This may include illicit drugs such as heroin or non-prescribed opioids or prescribed opioids, including opioids prescribed for pain relief.
Opioid dependence treatment (ODT) involves the provision of medication within a wider treatment framework. This means people can be prescribed opioid medicines to help manage their opioid dependence.
Medicines available through the program include:
- long-acting injection buprenorphine
- buprenorphine-naloxone
- buprenorphine-mono
- methadone.
These medicines can help to reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms and control the cravings associated with opioid dependence.
The program aims to reduce the health, social and economic harms caused by opioid dependence.
Learn more about treatment options and opioid treatment on the Adis 24/7 Alcohol and Drug Support website.
Who can prescribe medicine for the program
Medical practitioners (doctors) including specialists, GPs and nurse practitioners can prescribe through the program.
There are 3 types of prescribers under the program.
All prescriber types must have approval from us before they can prescribe opioid dependence treatment medicines.
Level 1
Full prescribers
Can prescribe all pharmacotherapy options following successful completion of the QOTP prescriber training.
Level 2
Specified prescribers
Interim supervised prescribers - can prescribe all pharmacotherapy options under the supervision of a Level 1 – Full prescriber for up to 2 years. After 2 years the prescriber must renew their Level 2 prescriber approval or apply for a Level 1 approval if they want to continue prescribing.
Buprenorphine-naloxone and long-acting injection buprenorphine prescribers – can prescribe the buprenorphine-naloxone and long-acting injection buprenorphine medicines only following successful completion of the QOTP prescriber training.
Shared care prescribers - shared care arrangements are agreements between a Hospital and Health Service or a private Level 1 – Full prescriber and an approved shared care prescriber. Learn more about shared care for opioid treatment and download the toolkit on the Insight – Dovetail website.
Level 3
Temporary alternative prescribers
Backfill prescribers can prescribe on behalf of a Level 1 or 2 prescriber for a set time if the Level 1 or 2 prescriber is on leave. A Level 3 backfill prescriber can’t change the patient's medicine dose or take-away medicine agreement.
Prescribers continuing treatment of hospital inpatients can prescribe approved opioids for a QOTP registered patient while in hospital. Dose adjustments must be discussed with a Level 1 or 2 prescriber.
Read our Prescriber types (PDF 172 kB) fact sheet to learn more.
Apply for or renew your approval to prescribe
Queensland Health manages all applications and approvals for prescriber authorisation for medical practitioners and nurses.
Authorisation is given under the Medicines and Poisons Act 2019 and Medicines and Poisons (Medicines) Regulation 2021.
Before you can start prescribing opioid treatment medicines you must:
- complete mandatory training
- apply to and get approval from Queensland Health
Make sure you check for and complete any mandatory training requirements before applying for approval.
To apply for, renew or amend your prescriber approval, fill in one of the following forms and email it to QOTP@health.qld.gov.au.
Approvals are usually valid for 2 years but can be up to 5 years. You can indicate the renewal period on your application form.
When we get your application, we’ll let you know if we need any more information.
When we review your application, we’ll consider:
- the proposed site of the prescribing and your skills, training and qualifications
- which regulated substances or medicines will be included in the substance prescribing authority such as methadone relative to the training completed.
If we approve your application, we’ll email you to let you know. You'll need to do the mandatory training before you can start prescribing.
Training
The Queensland opioid treatment program (QOTP) prescriber course is available on the Insight-Dovetail website.
There are mandatory training requirements for Level 1 and some Level 2 prescriber types. You must complete it before you can prescribe opioid treatment medicines.
There are 3 self-paced online, elearning courses, depending on what prescriber type you are applying for.
- Understanding opioid dependence, assessment and treatment
- Buprenorphine-naloxone and long-acting injection buprenorphine
- Buprenorphine-mono and methadone
If you need help with the training, contact the Insight-Dovetail team on their website.
All types of prescribers must have approval from us before they can prescribe opioid dependence treatment medicines.
Guidelines and laws
The Queensland opioid treatment program (QOTP) is regulated by the following laws and regulations.
Legal guideline
We developed A guide to key legislative requirements under the Medicines and Poisons Act 2019 (PDF 518 kB). The guide helps prescribers comply with the laws and regulations. It includes the:
- main requirements of the program in community and outpatient settings
- rules for prescribing, dispensing and administering opioid treatment medicines.
Clinical guideline
We’ve developed clinical guidelines to support the program and provide a regulatory framework. The guidelines include information on:
- opioid dependence and treatment in clinical settings
- procedures and how to administer opioid dependence medicines
- considerations for special populations including ageing patients
- assessments, treatment planning and review
- infectious diseases and risk management
- quick reference guides for prescribers and pharmacists
Read the Queensland opioid dependence treatment guidelines 2023 (PDF 2527 kB) to learn more.
Pharmacists can also read our fact sheet on Pharmacist administration of long-acting injectable buprenorphine (PDF 154 kB) for guidance.
PBS changes to the program
The Commonwealth Government has changed how opioid dependence treatment medicines are accessed through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
The changes took effect from 1 July 2023.
Opioid dependence treatment medicines are now part of the PBS Section 100 Highly Specialised Drugs Program (Community Access) arrangements.
You can learn more about the changes or find more information about the opioid dependence treatment program on the PBS website.
Medicines must now be dispensed in the same way as other community access medicines under the following sections of the National Health Act 1953 (Cth).
- Section 90 approved community pharmacies
- Section 92 approved medical practitioners
- Section 94 approved hospital authorities (public and private)
The new PBS arrangements for the supply of opioid treatment medicines is complemented by the Community Pharmacy Program which is designed to improve access to and affordability of opioid dependence treatment through community pharmacies.
Pharmacists can find information about the community pharmacy program, eligibility and how to claim payments on the Pharmacy Programs Administrator website.
Help and support
Email QOTP@health.qld.gov.au if you’re a health professional and have questions about the program or need help applying.
If you're concerned about your own or someone else's substance use, call Adis 24/7 Alcohol and Drug Support on 1800 177 833.
You can also visit their website for more information or to chat with a counsellor online.