Opioid prescribing in Australian general practice: research priorities and policy outcomes

Australia has experienced an increase in pharmaceutical opioid use, especially in general practice settings. In response to associated harms, strategies implemented include the rescheduling of codeine from over-the-counter to prescription-only in 2018. This thesis pursues three objectives: identifying opioid research priorities in general practice, outlining a research plan for future studies, and evaluating the impact of codeine rescheduling on general practice prescriptions and associated health conditions. Findings emphasise crucial consumer, clinician and policy research priorities. No increases in codeine or other opioid prescriptions were seen following rescheduling. Codeine prescribing post rescheduling was associated with mental health comorbidities and migraine diagnosis.