Prescribing buprenorphine with naloxone in film form (Suboxone®) for opioid dependence (non-accredited prescribing)

In South Australia a medical practitioner does NOT need to be accredited to prescribe buprenorphine with naloxone in film form for up to ten patients for opioid dependence.

Medical practitioners need to obtain a Section 18A Controlled Substances Act 1984 (SA) authority (PDF 185KB) from the SA Health Drugs of Dependence Unit prior to prescribing a drug of dependence for the treatment of opioid dependence. This authority must be obtained before treatment commences.

The Drugs of Dependence Unit can be contacted on 1300 652 584 Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. You can email Drugs of Dependence Unit at DrugsofDependenceUnit@sa.gov.au

The following resources provide further information about prescribing this drug.

This latter document can be used as a checklist of steps to be taken when patients are being initiated into medication assisted treatment with buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone®)

Additional clinical resources

Unaccredited medical practitioners must complete the DDU approved training:  'Theory - Depot Buprenorphine - SA' and submit a certificate of completion to the DDU for limited accreditation to prescribe and administer depot buprenorphine.

Additional training is required for full MATOD accreditation. Accredited MATOD prescribers are able to prescribe:

  • methadone liquid for any patient with opioid dependence
  • buprenorphine/naloxone film (Suboxone®) for more than 10 patients
  • buprenorphine without naloxone in tablet form (Subutex®) for other limited exemptions.
  • prescribe and administer depot Buprenorphine, after completing the DDU approved training: 'Theory - Depot Buprenorphine - SA'
    (This module has been included in the Theory component of the MATOD Prescriber Training Course - South Australia since March 2020.

More information

For more information go to SA - MATOD Prescriber training and education page or contact the Primary & Tertiary Services Coordinator: (08) 7425 5045.

Email: HealthDASSAGPProgram@sa.gov.au

An Introduction to Suboxone video

Starting someone on Suboxone video

Pharmacy related issues video

A GP’s perspective video