Australia: Nicotine Vaping Products Available by Prescription Only

Recently, it has been reported that to address existing loopholes, the TGA has made a temporary decision to allow nicotine in e-cigarettes to be available only by prescription.
 
After repeated calls from public health experts, last month, Australian authorities agreed to establish a special committee on tobacco harm reduction to explore "tobacco reduction strategies," including e-cigarettes.

The committee will analyze strategies successfully adopted by other countries, such as the UK and New Zealand, and their impact on tobacco and nicotine usage behaviors. Ultimately, the committee aims to identify methods for reducing youth smoking and e-cigarette use in Australia and will submit a final report detailing the findings by December 1, 2020.

The Pharmaceutical Association Supports This Measure

At the same time, the TGA has decided to allow nicotine for e-cigarettes to be available only by prescription. Anthony Tassone, president of the Pharmacy Guild of Victoria, supports this decision. "The Guild supports the temporary decision to reschedule nicotine and the decision to list nicotine as a Schedule 4 drug."

Such measures make it more difficult for smokers seeking to quit to access these products, thereby reducing their chances of success. "Ideally, these products should be registered with the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). The Guild supports this temporary decision, which ensures that nicotine liquid products are appropriately scheduled and controlled for therapeutic purposes to support smoking cessation."

He added, "Requiring registration of products on the ARTG will address packaging issues and safety and quality concerns."

Of course, it is not surprising that the Guild and other medical institutions support these measures, as it means they will benefit financially. On the other hand, these measures make it harder for smokers who want to quit to access these products, thus reducing their chances of success.

Are E-Cigarettes Only Available Through Pharmacies?

Last month, the National Retail Association (NRA) condemned the government's proposal to the Therapeutic Goods Administration to allow only pharmacies to sell nicotine-free products. NRA CEO Dominique Lamb stated that this would create a monopoly and negatively impact small convenience retailers who heavily rely on tobacco sales.

Lamb said, "The NRA understands that the federal government has asked the Therapeutic Goods Administration to consider whether nicotine-free products should be sold in pharmacies, either by prescription or through pharmacist authorization."

"This makes no sense; cigarettes can be bought freely at corner stores and service stations, yet products that can help people quit smoking will be restricted. So, outside of doctors' or pharmacists' working hours, the only option left is cigarettes. This defies common sense," she added.

Lamb further stated that excluding small businesses from the safer alternatives market in this manner would put these businesses at risk, disrupt market dynamics, and have adverse effects on public health.