563Restrictions on CHO power to approve applications for

563 Restrictions on CHO power to approve applications for designated prescriber does not include an intern doctor. (2) In making a decision under section 562, the chief health officer— (a) must comply with any guidelines approved under section 574 (Guidelines for CHO decisions on applications); and (b) must comply with any standards determined under section 575 (Controlled medicines prescribing standards); and (c) must not approve an application to prescribe buprenorphine or methadone to treat a drug-dependent person’s drug-dependency unless the applicant is— (i) a designated prescriber who is working at a hospital, or an institution mentioned in section 557 (2) (a) (ii) (Standing interim approval to prescribe buprenorphine and methadone for patients of certain institutions); or

use (ii) an intern doctor who is working at a hospital, or an institution mentioned in section 557 (2) (a) (ii), and who is acting under the direct supervision of a doctor at the hospital or institution; or (iii) a designated prescriber who is treating a person held in police custody; or (iv) a designated prescriber who holds an endorsement under section 582 (CHO decisions on applications for endorsement to treat drug-dependency); or (v) a designated prescriber who is prescribing continuing opioid dependency treatment for up to 5 drug-dependent people if— (A) the people have already undergone opioid dependency treatment for at least 14 consecutive days (the initial treatment); and (B) the initial treatment was prescribed by a designated prescriber holding an endorsement under section 582. (3) However, the decision of the chief health officer under section 562 need not comply with a controlled medicines prescribing standard if the decision— (a) is in accordance with a recommendation of the medicines advisory committee that the prescribing standard not apply in the particular circumstances; or (b) is in accordance with an entry for a controlled medicine listed in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods; or (c) is necessary for the continuation of the patient’s treatment in the particular circumstances.

use Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods means the register maintained under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (Cwlth). Note The Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods can be accessed at www.tga.gov.au.