AS OPPOSED to a default arrangement whereby all pharmacist-only medicines (S3) can be advertised directly to consumers, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has recommended advertising permissions be managed on a case by case basis, in its submission to the Therapeutic Goods Administration consultation relating to the advertising of S3 medicines.
The PSA also sought to be the lead provider of training for pharmacists around new advertising regulations.
The Australian Self Medication Industry (ASMI) has consistently promoted the value of switching many S4 medicines to S3 (PD yesterday) and especially allowing balanced advertising, emphasising a focus on benefit as well as risk around S3 products.
Monash public health advocate Ken Harvey acknowledged "that S3 advertising gives an additional opportunity for the pharmacist to act as a health professional to assist patients to select their medicines," and may also increase the health literacy of consumers and assist medicine compliance.
However, Harvey was quick to highlight the irony of a GP being unable dispense because of the obvious conflict of interest, whereas the pharmacist is forced to live daily with this dilemma.
Medicines Australia's submission broadly supported the proposals but warns that obtaining scheduling and marketing authorisation increases complexity and regulatory burden for sponsors.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia also broadly supported proposals in the consultation brief while identifying some medicines that are dispensed in other countries without a doctor's script, namely sildenafil, calcipotriol, trimethoprim, azithromycin, finasteride and northisterone.
The Guild reinforced its range of previous recommendations on the topic including an "Ask the pharmacist" reference to be associated with advertising of S3 medicines.
While generally supporting the proposals, the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia raised the issue of possible confusion around appendix changes details.
Read full submissions: tga.gov.au.
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