What are controlled and monitored medicines
Controlled and monitored medicines are drugs that are strictly regulated to minimise potential harm to individuals and to ensure public health.
Controlled medicines
Controlled medicines are medicines that may have an increased risk of misuse, abuse and dependency or may be used for non-medical purposes. Examples of controlled medicines include morphine, oxycodone, dexamfetamine and alprazolam.
Additional regulations are in place so that controlled and monitored medicines are prescribed and supplied in line with the Controlled Medicines Prescribing Standards 2023.
Prescriptions for controlled medicines require ACT Chief Health Officer approval.
Controlled medicines are listed in Schedule 8 of the Commonwealth Poisons Standard.
The ACT has adopted the Poisons Standard and established the regulatory framework under the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2008.
Monitored medicines
Monitored medicines include all controlled medicines or those declared by the Minister for Health, under the Act.
These medicines have been identified as medicines of harm, including deaths associated with their abuse and misuse.
In October 2021, these medicines were declared as monitored:
- tramadol
- all benzodiazepines
- quetiapine
- zolpidem and zopiclone (z-drugs)
- gabapentin and pregabalin.
Find out more about monitored medicines in Canberra Script.