THE Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has advised that starting 01 Jul 2025, strengthened standards will come into effect for all therapeutic vaping goods for smoking cessation and nicotine dependence, with existing supplies in pharmacies likely to be affected.
Pharmacies can only supply vapes that meet the TGA's stronger safety and quality product standards, which include stricter requirements for ingredients, flavours, packaging and labelling.
The TGA recommends pharmacists take action to ensure they are prepared for the changes on 01 Jul.
This includes reviewing the pharmacy's inventory to identify any vape products that do not meet the strengthened products standards, and removing non-compliant vapes.
These should be disposed of properly or returned to the supplier.
Pharmacists may need to educate pharmacy staff to ensure they are aware of the new standards, product compliance and availability, and alternative brands.
The TGA also recommends communicating with consumers and prescribers about the changes to vaping product standards, and available products.
"It is important to remember that vapes are not recommended as the first-line treatment for smoking cessation support," a spokesperson for the TGA said.
"First-line treatments include behavioural support and TGA-approved nicotine replacement therapy products such as patches, gum, and lozenges - some of which are subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme."
The TGA published the enhanced product standards for therapeutic vaping goods in Oct last year, giving manufacturers time to update their products for compliance.
The enhanced product standards were designed to mitigate certain risks associated with therapeutic vape use, and were developed as part of the vaping reforms, which has also strengthened regulation of all vaping goods since 01 Jul 2024.
As a result of this, products that do not meet the new standards will be removed from the notified vape list, and may be replaced by new products that have been stated to comply with the new standards.
To date, the TGA has not received any application from a sponsor of a vape product for inclusion in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), meaning that the TGA has not evaluated any therapeutic vaping good for safety, quality, effectiveness or performance.
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