Real-time monitoring of prescription medication will stop "shopping around" for drugs and help save lives, the Victorian government says.
Health Minister Jill Hennessy on Friday announced a $30 million system to monitor the distribution of strong medicines in real time, helping doctors and pharmacists identify those who "shop around" to get extra doses.
It comes after 372 Victorians died from an overdose of prescription medicines in 2016, more than double the state's road toll from that year.
"Road accidents are very visible for us to see but prescription misuse or addiction is done in the quiet privacy of people's homes, it's not something people like to talk about," Ms Hennessy said on Friday.
"It's really one of the great middle-class stories of our current time."
The system, which is currently in development, will be mandatory for Victorian doctors and pharmacists to check before prescribing or supplying strong painkillers, all benzodiazepines and most sleeping pills.
The state government's announcement follows the federal government's decision to announce a similar Australia-wide program on Friday.
Canberra is spending an initial $16 million to roll out the new program over the next 18 months.
While Ms Hennessy welcomed the federal investment in health, she was concerned that it wouldn't be as comprehensive as the Victorian system.
"I know that a Victorian system will cost $30 million just to serve Victoria... $16 million to do the whole country raises a few questions to me," she said.
The state system is expected to start next year.
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