THE vaping reforms bill passed in the Senate this week has raised significant questions around pharmacy insurance premiums, business risks and regulatory compliance for community pharmacists, according to the profession's peak body.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia's National Vice President Anthony Tassone said, "we are deeply disappointed that public policy has been developed in a vacuum without consultation prior to these amendments being passed".
"Pharmacists can only supply a schedule 3 medicine if there is an established therapeutic need.
"When we don't know the long-term effects of vapes on patient safety, how can a pharmacist make an informed decision?
"No guidance or protocol exists for pharmacies to stock unregulated substances with no established therapeutic benefit."
Tassone added the amendments compromise community health and do not take into consideration the safety or efficacy of vapes as a smoking cessation device.
"Pharmacists are clinical healthcare professionals and community pharmacies do not want to supply this potentially harmful, highly-addictive product without a prescription.
"Thanks to this secret, Greens-led deal, community pharmacies across Australia are being asked to supply nicotine-containing vapes without a prescription," Tassone commented.
The TerryWhite Chemmart, Priceline, National Pharmacies, Blooms The Chemist and Pharmacy 777, alongside thousands of independent pharmacies, have already expressed their opposition to nicotine-containing vapes being available without a prescription, with Blooms ruling out any deals to stock vapes across its store network.
Changes to the Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation Amendment (Vaping Reforms) Bill 2024 will come into effect as early as Oct. JG
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