A Novel NPS Monitoring System in Victoria, Australia

Abstract

Traditional data sources utilised in monitoring NPS use within a community are limited by slow translation of information, and inability to identify NPS causing actual harm. The Emerging Drugs Network of Australia VIC (EDNAV) is a novel NPS monitoring system collecting clinical and analytical data on patients presenting to a network of 16 metropolitan and regional Emergency Departments with reported or suspected illicit drug toxicity. Blood samples are analyzed using liquid chromatography / mass spectrometry for over 700 common pharmaceutical drugs and NPS. Deidentified clinical and analytical data stored in a secure online clinical registry are synthesised into a weekly report which is utilised by a multi-disciplinary team to identify high risk signals. A novel risk matrix is used to grade severity of signals. Signals classified as threats are translated rapidly into harm reduction messaging and provide to at risk communities through multiple modes of communication. In the past two years, over 2000 acute cases have undergone comprehensive toxicological analysis leading to 750 NPS detections (66 distinct NPS) and the issuance of associated public health alerts, and the characterization of a range of NPS toxicity.