PAIN advocacy body Painaustralia has warned that proposals to restrict availability of paracetamol through supermarkets will disadvantage millions of Australians.
The organisation has made a formal submission to a Therapeutic Goods Administration consultation on the issue, which will be considered next week by the Advisory Committee on Medicines Scheduling.
An independent report into the use of paracetamol in Australia has made several recommendations (PD 14 Sep), including reducing the size of packs sold in supermarkets and convenience stores, as well as in pharmacies without the advice of a pharmacist.
The report also suggested limiting the number of packs of paracetamol products that can be purchased in one transaction to reduce home stockpiles; making modified-release paracetamol only available with a prescription; and also requiring a script for the purchase of paracetamol by individuals aged under 18.
Painaustralia CEO Giulia Jones told Nine Publishing that the changes would unfairly impact chronic pain sufferers, with the submission pushing back on any of the proposals to restrict sales of the medication.
"There are 3.4 million Australians who live with chronic pain, and many of them use paracetamol every day without a script because going to the GP costs money," a Nine report quoted Jones as saying.
Restricting sales to over-18s would "negatively impact young carers who provide support to adults," the Painaustralia submission adds, noting that the proposed policy would place the same requirements on accessing paracetamol as alcohol or tobacco, which are "clearly more harmful in general to society".
Several options will be canvassed by the Committee at its meeting scheduled for 16 Nov, including requiring paracetamol in tablet or capsule form to be provided in blister or strip packaging.
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