ASMI urges evidence based policy reforms
October 29, 2015
Australian Self-Medication
Industry ceo Dean Schoombie is
calling on the government to “base
policy decisions upon evidence,”
with the proposed real-time
monitoring system for codeine containing
products able to provide
“objective data” to guide reforms.
In an opinion piece about the
codeine controversy, Schoombie
has again called for a twelve month
moratorium on the final decision
to up-schedule codeine products
(PD 02 Oct), saying this will provide
time for the electronic recording
system to be implemented and
collect “current, objective data on
which a final scheduling decision
should be based”.
The monitoring system developed
by ASMI, the PSA, the Guild and
consumer groups will provide
pharmacists with support to help
them decide whether or not to
provide a consumer with the
requested medicine.
“It would also provide a simple
means of referral of patients to
pain specialists if chronic use is
identified,” Schoombie said, noting
that there is no corresponding
system in place for monitoring
prescription analgesics.
The system identifies who initiates
the purchase, and the pharmacist
will only supply the product if the
consumer consents to recording of
the purchase.
The consumer’s purchase history
will guide the pharmacist’s decision
with repeat purchasers able to be
counselled on possible addiction
risks and referred to a GP.
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