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ASMI Welcomes S3 Push

The Australian Self Medication Industry (ASMI) has welcomed community pharmacy’s enthusiasm to expand the range of pharmacist only (S3) products and the information-based communications approach to consumers for these medications, as demonstrated by the UTS Pharmacy Barometer released earlier this week.

According to ASMI Executive Director Dr Schoombie, the inability of companies to create consumer awareness of S3 medicines is the main reason why the full potential of these medicines as a legitimate treatment option has not been realised in Australia.

“Prescription to non-prescription reclassification (‘Rx to OTC switch’) and lifting the current advertising restrictions on S3 communication are key issues that remain high on ASMI’s agenda,” he said. He also pointed out that promotional curbs have a perverse consequence: consumers who do not know about these medicines continue to go to their GPs for conditions that could have been effectively treated by pharmacists.

ASMI is advocates a period of data protection, commensurate with the degree of innovation and investment, to encourage investment in Rx to OTC switches. “In ASMI’s view, increasing the number of S3 products will have a myriad of benefits across the community such as health funding savings, reduced pressure on doctors, more timely access to medicines for consumers and an increased ability for consumers to self-care for minor ailments”.

Source: pharmacydaily.com, Wednesday 20 November 2013