Consultation opportunities
2 March 2023
AMA Victoria has recently been presented with several opportunities to influence health and broader public policy in Victoria. We have been invited to contribute towards:
- The Victorian Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Partnership Action Plan
- Victorian Pharmacist-Administered Vaccination Program - expansion and review
- Proposed amendment to include pregabalin, gabapentin & tramadol in SafeScript.
As always, we welcome (and, indeed, require) the wisdom, insights, and experiences of members in formulating policy and advocating to government. Details on how members can contribute are contained below.
The Victorian Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Partnership Action Plan
The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and the Victorian Department of Health are seeking input into the Victorian Aboriginal Health & Wellbeing Partnership Action Plan. The plan has a particular focus on prevention and cultural safety actions for Victorian Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing. If you would like to contribute to AMA Victoria’s response, please contact Senior Policy Adviser, Lewis Horton, at LewisH@amavic.com.au by Monday 6 March 2023.
Victorian Pharmacist-Administered Vaccination Program - expansion and review
The Victorian Department of Health is undertaking a review of the Victorian Pharmacist-Administered Vaccination Program (the program).
Expansions were made to the program in mid- and late-2022 authorising pharmacist immunisers to administer Japanese encephalitis, human papillomavirus, mpox, pneumococcal and herpes zoster (shingles) vaccines. Expansions were also made to the target cohort able to receive the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine from a pharmacist immuniser.
In late November 2022, as part of election commitment announcements, the Victorian Government announced that pharmacist immunisers will be authorised to additionally administer travel and other public health vaccines. Members can find AMA Victoria’s response to the November announcement here.
For more on the current review: Consultation - Victorian Pharmacist-Administered Vaccination Program - expansion and review (amavic.com.au).
If you would like to contribute to AMA Victoria’s response to these proposed amendments, please send your feedback through to Lewis Horton at lewish@amavic.com.au by Monday 20 March 2023.
Proposed amendment to include pregabalin, gabapentin and tramadol in SafeScript
Public consultation is now open in relation to a proposed amendment to include pregabalin, gabapentin and tramadol in SafeScript.
The Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) in relation to the proposed Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Amendment Regulations 2023 (proposed Regulations) has been prepared in accordance with section 11 of the Subordinate Legislation Act 1994. The RIS presents the cost to prescribers and pharmacists implementing the proposed Regulations and the expected health, social and financial benefits.
The RIS draws on the findings of the Austin Health updated literature review with regards to the evidence of harms caused by pregabalin, gabapentin and tramadol. Members can find the full report here.
Members are invited to contribute towards AMA Victoria’s submission by providing feedback on the RIS and the proposed regulations by Wednesday 29 March 2023. Feedback can be provided to Lewis Horton at LewisH@amavic.com.au. Copies of the RIS and proposed regulations can also be found on the Medicines and Poisons Regulation home page, here.
