THE Australian Self Medication Industry (ASMI) has released its pre-budget submission to the Federal Government calling for greater investment in self care, elevation of health literacy to a national priority and incentives to increase access to medicines.
ASMI CEO Dr Deon Schoombie said, "We need a national health check on health literacy," citing the most recent ABS survey in 2006 which found 60% of Australians had inadequate health literacy.
"Improving the health literacy of Australians needs to become a national priority, with attention from all levels of government and key stakeholders," Schoombie said.
He urged investment in national and local projects to empower communities and individuals to enhance their own wellbeing.
Schoombie went on to argue that greater health literacy leads to greater self care.
"Having adequate health literacy means that an individual is able to seek help when they require, identify ailments that they can self-treat, read medicine labels, understand medicine advertisements and more."
ASMI also called upon the government to invest more in self care research, to prioritise early intervention and preventive health funding, as well as increasing access to medicines through data protection and intellectual property measures for 'switch' applicants.
"The evidence base for Self Care in Australia needs to grow and the long-term benefits of preventive health funding is compelling."
See the submission: asmi.com.au.
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