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Vaping products unlikely to be at local pharmacies

FROM October 1, 2024, Australia will classify vaping products as Schedule 3 medicines, meaning they will only be available through some pharmacies, but without a prescription.

The plan has been criticised by opponents who say that it has been “hastily finalised in a backroom deal with the Greens and without any consultation with the pharmacy profession”.

NSW academic, researcher and clinician Dr Colin Mendelsohn penned an essay on why he thinks the plan will fail.

He said pharmacists have not been properly consulted and do not want this extra responsibility and said it would be incumbent upon pharmacists to conduct detailed consultations for each sale without reimbursement.

They would have to conduct a patient assessment, check ID, inform customers about unapproved status, provide advice on other smoking cessation methods, obtain consent, and notify the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

This cumbersome, unpaid process discourages participation.

Dr Mendelsohn said vapes had not yet undergone the TGA’s rigorous approval process and as such were not listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) like all other medicines.

He said selling “unapproved” products exposed pharmacists to legal risks without the same protections offered for approved medicines.

Pharmacy Guild of Australia national vice president, Anthony Tassone, said “pharmacists are healthcare professionals and community pharmacies do not want to supply this potentially harmful, highly addictive product without a prescription”.

“Thanks to this secret, Greens-led deal, community pharmacies across Australia are being asked to supply nicotine-containing vapes without a prescription,” he said.

“Pharmacists can only supply a schedule 3 medicine if there is an established therapeutic need.

“When we don’t know the long-term effects of vapes on patient safety, how can a pharmacist make an informed decision?

“We are deeply disappointed that public policy has been developed in a vacuum without consultation prior to these amendments being passed.”

While Amcal Pharmacy in Hamilton said they were yet to make a decision as to whether they would stock vapes, James Dean Pharmacy pharmacist, William Song confirmed their pharmacy would not be stocking the item.

“Our policy is in line with the Pharmacy Guild,” Mr Song said.

“It is not actually listed with the TGA (Therapeutic Good Administration) as safe.

“Pharmacies can actually choose not to stock the product.

“At this stage we will not be (stocking vapes) unless there is a change in the future.”

Dr Mendelsohn believes Australia should consider adopting New Zealand’s approach, where vapes are sold as adult consumer products in licensed retail outlets with strict age verification.

He said this model makes vapes more accessible and affordable for adult vapers and smokers, reduces youth access, generates tax revenue, curtails the black market, and ensures proper regulation.

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