ASMI hails S3 push
November 20, 2013
The Australian Self Medication
Industry (ASMI) has welcomed
community pharmacy’s enthusiasm
to expand the range of pharmacist
only (S3) products and the
information-based communications
approach to consumers for these
medications, as demonstrated
by the UTS Pharmacy Barometer
released this week (PD Mon).
According to ASMI Executive
Director Dr Schoombie, the inability
of companies to create consumer
awareness of S3 medicines is the
main reason why the full potential
of these medicines as a legitimate
treatment option has not been
realised in Australia.
“Prescription to non-prescription
reclassification (‘Rx to OTC switch’)
and lifting the current advertising
restrictions on S3 communication
are key issues that remain high on
ASMI’s agenda,” he said.
He also pointed out that
promotional curbs have a perverse
consequence: consumers who do
not know about these medicines
continue to go to their GPs for
conditions that could have been
effectively treated by pharmacists.
ASMI is advocates a period of
data protection, commensurate
with the degree of innovation
and investment, to encourage
investment in Rx to OTC switches.
“In ASMI’s view, increasing the
number of S3 products will have
a myriad of benefits across the
community such as health funding
savings, reduced pressure on
doctors, more timely access to
medicines for consumers and an
increased ability for consumers to
self-care for minor ailments”.
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