Because rules around repeat prescriptions are changing, we want our patients and whānau to understand how and why we prescribe certain medicines.

Controlled drugs are medicines that can be helpful but also carry a higher risk of dependence or misuse. Government rules mean these medicines can usually only be prescribed for short periods of time (usually 1-3 months maximum)

 These include:

• Strong pain medicines eg codeine, tramadol, morphine, oxycodone
• Sleeping tablets and sedatives eg zopiclone, diazepam, lorazepam
• Some weight-loss medicines (e.g. Duromine)
• Some ADHD medicines eg methylphenidate

You can find more detail about controlled drugs on the Ministry of Health website:
Controlled drugs | Ministry of Health NZ

 Starting a controlled drug- Ranolf Medical Centre Policy

(This section does not apply to people with cancer-related pain or those receiving hospice or palliative care.)

• Some medicines eg pethidine, are only prescribed if recommended by a specialist.
• If a sleeping tablet or sedative (such as diazepam, lorazepam, or zopiclone) is started, we usually prescribe no more than 10 days at a time.
• Oxycodone is only prescribed if other pain medicines like morphine are not suitable.
• When strong pain medicines are first prescribed, we usually give no more than 10 days’ supply.
• Prescribing more than one strong pain medicine or more than one sedative at the same time usually requires a clear reason and discussion with a senior GP.
• We will always talk with patients about the risk of dependence and aim to reduce or stop these medicines when it is safe to do so.
• Duromine is not usually a first-choice weight-loss medicine and requires approval from a senior GP. If prescribed, it will only be for a short time.

Renewing controlled drugs- Ranolf Medical Centre Policy

• Some long-term conditions may require ongoing controlled medicines. In these cases, a clear plan should be made with your usual GP.
• Requests for early, increased, or lost prescriptions may lead us to review how the medicine is being used and lead to more restrictions around prescribing
• Patients on long-term controlled medicines must request early or extra repeats from their own GP.  If this is not possible (due to doctor being away etc) a short supply (up to 3 days) may be provided to cover until the usual doctor’s return, but this will be considered on a case by case basis.