Australian Capital Territory Numbered Regulations

MEDICINES, POISONS AND THERAPEUTIC GOODS AMENDMENT REGULATION 2020 (NO 3) (NO 24 OF 2020) - REG 5

in part 15.1, insert

631     Minister may exempt certain people dealing with buprenorphine or methadone from Act—Act, s 190 (1) (b)

    (1)     The Minister may exempt a person from the Act if the person—

        (a)     is an agent of an ODT person; and

        (b)     is dealing with buprenorphine or methadone for the ODT person.

Note     An exemption may be conditional (see the Act

, s 190 (2)).

    (2)     An exemption is a disallowable instrument.

Note     A disallowable instrument must be notified, and presented to the Legislative Assembly, under the Legislation Act

.

    (3)     In this section:

"agent", of an ODT person, means a person nominated as the ODT person's agent under the ODT contingency guidelines.

"ODT contingency guidelines" means guidelines issued under the Act

, section 192 that make provision about the circumstances in which an agent for an ODT person may deal with buprenorphine or methadone for the ODT person.

"ODT person" means a person who—

        (a)     is dependent on opioids; and

        (b)     is being treated for their dependency with buprenorphine or methadone.

632     Certain people exempt from Act during COVID-19 emergency—Act, s 190 (1) (a)

    (1)     An agent of an ODT person is exempt from the Act if—

        (a)     the ODT person is unable to attend an opioid dependency treatment centre because of a COVID-19 emergency; and

        (b)     the agent is dealing with buprenorphine or methadone for the ODT person; and

        (c)     the agent complies with the ODT contingency guidelines when dealing with the buprenorphine or methadone for the ODT person.

Note 1     Opioid dependency treatment centre —see the Act

, dictionary.

Note 2     Dealing with buprenorphine or methadone includes obtaining, possessing, supplying or discarding the substance (see the Act

, s 19).

    (2)     In this section:

"agent", of an ODT person—see section 631 (3).

COVID-19 emergency means—

        (a)     a state of emergency declared under the Emergencies Act 2004

, section 156 because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); or

        (b)     an emergency declared under the Public Health Act 1997

, section 119 (including any extension or further extension) because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

ODT contingency guidelines —see section 631 (3).

ODT person —see section 631 (3).

    (3)     This section expires on the first day no COVID-19 emergency is in force.