Pharmacy Daily | Call to ‘get on’ with vaping reforms

AN AUSTRALIAN Standard nicotine vaping products (NVPs) manufacturer wants the Federal Government and respective State Health administrations to "get on with the job" of implementing major health reforms to tackle the nation's vaping black market.

From the Fields Pharmaceutical CEO Wilhelm David said it had been months since the Federal Government's "bold announcements" around regulatory and legislative approaches to reform an out-of-control vaping black market of illicit products also fuelling rampant youth vaping levels.

David said legitimate industry players were ready for the market overhaul of vaping.

"It is time for all governments and health regulators across Australia to get on with the job of tackling the estimated 160,000 illegal vapes now consumed daily and start addressing the levels of black market fuelled, illicit product undermining better public health outcomes," David said.

"That public policy intent now needs to be backed up with actions.

"We're ready!

"Our health authorities should also have no fear that a legitimate industry and supply chain is in place to adapt to the future, wide-ranging changes in the vaping market and the shift towards GP-prescribed, pharmacy-distributed vaping products.

"The Albanese Government's holistic approach to future overhaul vaping has struck a balance for the role medically prescribed vaping can play in addressing excessive smoking rates and drive adult smoking rates to only 5% by the year 2030," he added.

"This is not an easy debate and many across-government measures will take time to implement."

David said the prescription model for vapes can play a greater, legitimised role in addressing Australia's major health challenge of excessive smoking rates, which are still too high.

"The industry feels we are at a halfway house and the current information vacuum and lack of forward progress are both confusing and frustrating many groups," David explained.

"Many consumers of NVPs are stressed and anxious about access to their future product where illicit consumption gets in the way of legitimate, quality alternatives.

"Financially under pressure pharmacies can also play a greater role in prescribed product distribution, whilst there still remains too few doctors presently authorised to prescribe NVPs."