Description of datasets to be linked*
| Dataset name and year of first record | Description of dataset | Purpose of dataset | Key variables of interest |
| Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS, 2002) | Records for all PBS-listed medicines for which the Commonwealth pays a subsidy (2002–2012). After 2012, all PBS dispensings are included. | To identify the cohort and the types of opioids and other medicines prescribed. | PBS-item number, date of prescribing and dispensing, patient copayment, cost to government and provider location. |
| Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS, 2002) | Claims for all medical and hospital services subsidised by the Commonwealth including doctor visits, pathology tests and imaging. | To identify the use of medical and hospital services. | MBS-item number, date of service, schedule fee, provider charge, benefit paid, patient copayment and provider location. |
| Australian Cancer Database (ACD, 1982) | All notifications of primary malignant neoplasms. | To identify individuals treated with opioids for cancer pain. | Date of diagnosis, topography and morphology codes and degree of spread. |
| National Death Index (NDI, 2002) | Death registrations and causes of death. | To calculate mortality rates for the cohort and censor individuals. | Date of death, underlying and contributing causes of death. |
| NSW Admitted Patient Data Collection (NSW APDC, 2001); ACT Admitted Patient Care (ACT APC, 2004) | Census of all inpatient episodes in all NSW/ACT public and private hospitals, public multi-purpose services and private day procedure centres. | To identify harms and risks associated with prescribed opioids. | Dates of admission, separation and procedures, diagnostic and procedure codes, admission costs, separation mode, hospital type and hospital location. |
| NSW Emergency Department Data Collection (NSW EDDC, 2005); ACT Emergency Department Data Collection (ACT EDDC, 2005) | All visits to participating emergency departments in NSW/ACT. | To identify harms and risks associated with prescribed opioids. | Dates of presentation and separation, referral source, arrival mode, visit type, triage, diagnosis and separation mode. |
| Pharmaceutical Drugs of Addiction System (PHDAS, 1985) Changed to Electronic Recording and Reporting of Controlled Drugs (ERRCD) in September 2016. | Opioid substitution therapy (methadone/buprenorphine) treatment episodes in NSW. | To identify individuals with a history of opioid dependence and who subsequently are prescribed opioids. We will also use this as an outcome, examining risk of treatment for iatrogenic opioid dependence. | Treatment entry and exit dates and type of medicine authorised. |
| Mental Health Ambulatory Collection (MH-AMB, 2001) | Records on the assessment, treatment, rehabilitation or care of non-admitted mental health patients in NSW. | To identify individuals with mental health disorders and their treatment patterns. | Date of service, mental health diagnoses and services provided. |
*Data will be provided from the year indicated. Most collections hold patient demographics including age, sex, location of residence mapped to the socioeconomic80 and remoteness classifications.81
ACT, Australian Capital Territory; NSW, New South Wales