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RACGP says move to pharmacy supplied vapes ‘appropriate’
GPs will need to prescribe nicotine-dependent patients vapes for the next three months until new legislation passes.
Under the new law, vapes will be available from pharmacies for people aged over 18.
The Federal Government has reached a legislative deal in its fight against the Big Tobacco vaping industry, with its bill set to pass Parliament next week.
Provisions have been accepted into their proposed legislation, which were suggested by the crossbench, so that vapes will be made pharmacy-only medication.
The vaping bill is set now to be passed on 1 July, but the down-scheduling of therapeutic vaping goods wont will come into effect until October.
This means vapes will only be available with a prescription from a doctor for the next three months.
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins told newsGP the move is ‘appropriate’ and that pharmacies will need to meet the need of nicotine-dependant patients.
‘This is a pragmatic approach, it’s not perfect,’ she said.
‘Pharmacists already sell nicotine replacement therapies, such as patches and gum, so vaping is a second line tool used for smoking cessation and pharmacists will be well placed to provide the counselling that is required face to face.’
Federal Health and Aged Care Minister Mark Butler told press on Tuesday that a legal vape will now have to comply with Therapeutic Goods Administration standards.
He also said it would also have ‘to be obtained as a so-called “Schedule 3” medicine’, with only pharmacists able to issue the vapes.
‘We have put in place for the first time very clear standards, overseen by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, overseen by the Office of Drug Control, to ensure that the vapes that are being sold through pharmacies comply with the strictest possible standards,’ Minister Butler said.
With the move meaning several months of GP consultations so people can legally purchase a nicotine vape, Dr Higgins said GPs will have to continue to supply prescriptions as a part of their ongoing treatment of patients and their nicotine cessation goals.
‘Getting people off cigarettes and vapes is still bread-and-butter general practice work and we’ve got lots of tools in our toolbox,’ she said.
‘But we need to remember that there is still a considerable supply out there that we need to keep away from our children.
‘The ban on those retail sales, versus pharmacy sales, is to stop the access to kids.’
The legislation went through the Senate Community Affairs Committee last month with a recommendation that it be passed, despite crossbenchers airing some dissent.
The Government has since struck a deal with the Australian Greens and moved away from the previously put forward requirement for all patients to attain a doctor-issued prescription for purchase indefinitely.
Minister Butler welcomed the constructive engagement on the Bill and is happy with the final alterations.
‘Our world-leading laws will return vapes and e-cigarettes to what they were originally sold to the Australian community and to governments around the world as therapeutic products to help hardened smokers kick the habit,’ he said.
‘From Monday next week, it will be unlawful to supply, manufacture, import, and sell a vape outside of a pharmacy setting.’
Minister Butler said these laws will ‘protect young Australians and the broader community from the harms of recreational vaping’.
‘Those who really need access to a therapeutic vape for help to quit smoking can get one from their local pharmacy,’ he said.
People will be able to access vapes via pharmacies under the following controls:
- A conversation with a pharmacist will be required, to provide information on the health harms
- The pharmacist will have access to clinical guidance and resources which offer alternate smoking cessation methods to patients
- The goods will only be available behind the pharmacy counter
- Individuals will be required to provide ID to the pharmacist
- Limitations will be placed on the concentration of nicotine available
- The model will not be available to under-18s, who can only access these goods with a prescription from a doctor
The Government said a statutory review of the legislation will be held three years after it commences, as well as restrictions placed on advertising therapeutic vaping goods to health practitioners.
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