NPS looks at complementary meds http://www.pharmainfocus.com.au/news.asp?newsid=1254
Posted 31 July 2006 [copied as fair use] The National Prescribing Service is extending its remit beyond prescription medicines and into the complementary sector with a view to "developing interventions" by next year. The service is planning to undertake research into complementaries and has set up a group of experts to advise on a specific topic following a recommendation from an expert government committee. In May 2003, following the Pan Pharmaceuticals product recall, the Australian Government established an expert committee on complementary medicines in the health system. The committee’s report recommended the government take a more active role in ensuring consumers have access to reliable information about complementary medicines, and the skills to interpret information and make informed decisions. The NPS is setting out to fulfill that brief. A spokesperson for the service said the NPS-convened group had met once and was due to meet again in August. The work was in formative development but the service had completed a detailed literature review to inform the group on the issues, she said. The group includes representatives from the Complementary Healthcare Council of Australia and the Australian Self-Medication Industry, plus senior academic researchers and delegates from government, the TGA and the Consumers Health Forum. "Development of interventions or program materials (depending on what is gleaned from the formative research) will commence in 2007," Ms Karelas said. She said it was premature to decide the nature of any intervention or community strategy, such as a community campaign, until research was finalised but outcomes would be reported to NPS membership, the government and other interested parties. Complementary Healthcare Council executive director Dr Tony Lewis said the council was taking part and fully supported the process. ASMI regulatory manager for complementary and OTC medicines, Jonathan Breach, said it could be the start of a whole new band of work for the NPS. He said consultation with industry so far had included discussing the most popular complementary medicines in terms of sales figures and consumer profile. He said he had no concerns with the NPS doing the research as it had the appropriate background and infrastructure. _______________________________________________ Gpcg_talk mailing list [email protected] http://ozdocit.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gpcg_talk
