Pharmacy Daily | Poppy trials forge ahead

GLAXOSMITHKLINE (GSK) has said positive results from its 2013-14 poppy growing trials in Victoria were encouraging, with early indications that the results will be strong and growers for next season’s trials already chosen. Trials began last year with the aim of establishing a second Australian site of commercial poppy production in Victoria to supplement operations in Tasmania. GSK said the Tasmanian grown poppies supplied almost half the world’s needs for medicinal alkaloid, and GSK was one player in the Tasmanian industry. GSK opiates division gm Steve Morris said the results from last season showed the future potential for successful commercial poppy production in the state and that while poppy contract prices in Tasmania had eased this year, overall customer demand remained positive despite a reduced demand for thebaine in the US market in the past year or two. GSK said it would assess the next trial results before deciding on a commercial operations start date. The Victorian government allocated $2.3m in its 2014-15 budget last week to establish a poppy industry in the state by setting up the regulatory framework and a secure licensing and registration database. Minister for Agriculture and Food Security Peter Walsh said the investment would provide the poppy industry with security and the ability to meet global demand for therapeutic drugs while providing new opportunities for Victoria’s primary producers. The Tasmanian government has estimated that the value of the poppy industry to the state is about $250m to $300m annually.

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