New NSW medicines and poisons legislation will commence on 5 November 2026, replacing the current regulatory framework with the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2022 and the Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation 2026.
The changes introduce new requirements for health practitioners and healthcare settings, including mandatory standards for medicine storage, electronic drug registers and opioid treatment programs.
General practices should review their medicine storage arrangements, Schedule 8 medicine management processes, electronic drug registers and opioid treatment procedures to ensure they are prepared for the new requirements.
Resources for Medical practitioners
Key regulatory changes will come into effect for the NSW Opioid Treatment Program. The Opioid Treatment Program legislative requirements outline legal requirements for prescribers and dosing points. The legislative requirements refer to the revised NSW OTP Standards which outline the minimum requirements for persons and services providing opioid dependence treatment under the NSW Opioid Treatment Program.
The Medicine Storage Standards outline the minimum requirements for the storage of Schedule 8 medicines and, in some settings, Schedule 4D medicines.
The Electronic Drug Register Standards outline the minimum requirements for electronic drug registers used to record transactions and activities involving Schedule 8 medicines.
Further information on the new legislation and supporting resources is available via NSW Health’s Medicines and Poisons legislation webpage.
The GP Liaison in Alcohol and other Drugs (GLAD) is a free CESPHN commissioned service delivered in partnership with SLHD, SESLHD and SVHN. GLAD provides phone advice, assessments and treatment plans, collaborative / shared care, referral pathways, education for GPs, Practice Nurses and patients, and practice visits.
The Drug and Alcohol Specialist Advisory Service (DASAS) is a free 24/7 specialist phone advisory service for all health professionals available to call on 1800 023 687
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