Scaling up a collaborative care model for MATOD in Australia: Clinical and regulatory considerations

Background: Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Dependence (MATOD) is the gold-standard treatment for opioid dependence. The Enhancing Pharmacist Involvement in Care (EPIC)-MATOD collaborative model was developed in response to an urgent need for innovative, scalable models that can expand capacity and improve equity in treatment access. Following a successful Victorian pilot, the model is now being implemented in multiple Australian states to gain important knowledge for broader upscaling. We will present the outcomes of regulatory mapping alongside identified implementation strategies that have been co-designed with pharmacists to support uptake.
Description of Model of Care/Intervention: Clinical tasks are delegated to the pharmacist, who then provides patient care within an individualised treatment plan. The model includes a rigorous credentialling process for pharmacists and state-based Clinical Practice Guidelines to ensure a high standard of care.
Implementation: The model will be implemented in four diverse regions in a hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial. A co-design phase is currently underway, and includes the development of state-specific Clinical Practice Guidelines and an implementation support package. As of July 2025, regulatory mapping has aligned the model with treatment guidelines in Tasmania, NSW, and QLD. Co-design results have informed implementation strategies such as secure messaging to facilitate relay of clinical data to providers, and engagement of local pharmacist champions. The implementation trial will commence in 2026 and assess the effectiveness of the implementation strategies, while measuring clinical outcomes to ensure that a high standard of care is maintained.
Conclusion and Next Steps: With Australia’s state-based MATOD system, scaling up the EPIC-MATOD model requires adaptability and local engagement. Early findings emphasise the importance of creating region-specific guidance and engaging local health systems.
Implications on Communities, Practice, and/or Policy: The model offers a practical pathway to improving MATOD access and promoting person-centred opioid dependence treatment across Australia.
Disclosure of Interest Statement: The EPIC MATOD scale-up study is supported by the HCF Foundation through a Health Services Research Grant. SN is the recipient of National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) L2 Leadership Fellowship #2025894).