LAWS that prohibit consumer advertising of Schedule 3 medicines are out of step with international practice and deliver no public health benefit, according to the Australian Self Medication Industry (ASMI).
ASMI's position is based on research it had commissioned from the Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation (CHERE) at the University of Technology Sydney to determine the impact of a new consumer communication model for S3 medicines on the Quality Use of Medicines (QUM).
While S2 products can be advertised under Therapeutic Goods Regulations, S3 products cannot, except through an Appendix H exemption, making them "largely invisible to the wider public", ASMI said in a statement.
Consequently ASMI has proposed an alternative model for S3 medicines advertising, comprised of three core elements: education on the condition/disease, branded product information and the role of the pharmacists in determining whether the medication is appropriate for the consumer.
ASMI said it will propose this alternate model for advertising S3 medicines at an upcoming TGA review of medicines scheduling slated for next month.
CHERE Professor of Health Economics and director Rosalie Viney said there appeared to be no public health benefit from the current restriction on S3 advertising and the evidence suggested ASMI's alternative model could have a positive impact on QUM.
The research indicates S3 advertising would enhance the role of pharmacists and also result in better healthcare outcomes for consumers, ASMI concluded.
CLICK HERE to access the report.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 09 Feb 17
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 09 Feb 17
