Real-time prescription monitoring

SafeScript monitoring

Why are these drugs included in Victoria’s SafeScript?

In 2016, benzodiazepines were the drugs most commonly involved in drug-induced death in Australia, followed by prescription opioids. Of the 1,808 drug-induced deaths across the country, benzodiazepines were present in approximately 36.7% of cases, while opioids were present 30% of the time. Over 70% of drug-induced deaths in 2016 were a result of accidental overdoses.7

The data also clearly show that the majority of drug-induced deaths involved the use of more than one drug. In the instance of drug-induced deaths involving benzodiazepines for example, over 96% of these deaths also involved the use of other drugs such as alcohol.

In Victoria, data from 2017 indicate that 414 Victorians died from overdoses involving prescription medications.8 This number has been higher than the Victorian road toll since 2012, by an average of 27%.8

Two key risks associated with benzodiazepine and opioid use

Pharmaceuticals