Table 1.
The number of opioids available in Australia for prescription
| Opioids available in Australia for prescription | Number of opioid preparations available in Australia* for analgesia | Number of opioid preparations available in Australia* to treat opiate addiction |
|---|---|---|
| Alfentanil | 2 | 0 |
| Buprenorphine | 5 | 5 |
| Codeine | 2 | 0 |
| Dextropropoxyphene | 1 | 0 |
| Fentanyl | 43 | 0 |
| Hydromorphone | 5 | 0 |
| Methadone | 2 | 5 |
| Morphine | 87 | 0 |
| Oxycodone | 37 | 0 |
| Pethidine | 4 | 0 |
| Tapentadol | 5 | 0 |
| Tramadol | 48 | 0 |
| Total | 241 | 10 |
*
A preparation is defined as an entry in the ‘narcotic analgesics’ section of MIMS regardless of PBS status, pack size and preparation. This reflects the product range available to prescriber and consumer (MIMS data accessed September 27 2013).