THE Federal Health Minister Mark Butler (pictured) was "marched out" of his local pharmacy one Sunday morning as he was refused sale of pseudoephedrine.
He recalled his experience in Parliament last week, and explained why Project STOP, the system which restricts the sale of pseudoephedrine S3 products, will not be used for vapes.
From 01 Oct, vapes will be scheduled to be in the same medication category.
"I did not meet all of the conditions for access to cold and flu tablets that contain pseudoephedrine," he said.
"You are not always successful in getting pseudoephedrine through Project STOP, even after a discussion with the pharmacist.
"It was rather humiliating, I must say, as the country's health minister," Butler remarked.
However, he did acknowledge concerns about people visiting multiple pharmacies, buying more than one vape in a month, and then on-selling it.
"The data entry requirements of Project STOP for pseudoephedrine were put in place because of law enforcement concerns."
Butler added for Project STOP to be effective for vapes, it would need to be linked to other pharmacies, and have a different monitoring regime, which he was "not convinced is going to be the proper regulation".
"Pharmacists should also focus their time on the therapeutic discussion rather than on data entry," Butler commented.
Adding, if that "judgement is not proven out over time" more discussions will take place. JG
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 01 Jul 24
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 01 Jul 24
