Submissions and Policy Updates
CONSULTATION: Proposed amendments to the Poisons Standard – Down-scheduling of Ibuprofen 400 mg
Painaustralia was pleased to have the opportunity to provide input to the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) consultation on the proposed amendments to the Poisons Standard – Down-scheduling of Ibuprofen 400 mg.
Painaustralia is supportive of the down scheduling of Ibuprofen 400 mg in smaller pack sizes (max 12 doses) from Schedule 3 to Schedule 2. In implementing these changes, Painaustralia also recommends further education and awareness around Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) to ensure that consumers are vigilant to the risks posed by these medications.
Given its wide usage and easy accessibility, targeted education and awareness campaigns are needed to aid informed decision making by consumers. Ensuring better awareness and providing more effective support to people living in pain is key to reducing adverse events relating to pain medication in Australia.
Read our submission here.
Canadian Pain Taskforce Consultation on ways to improve how we understand, prevent and manage pain in Canada
Painaustralia was pleased to support and provide input into the Canadian Task Force’s mission to improve Canada’s response to the significant burden of chronic pain.
Painaustralia commends the Government of Canada for making a formal commitment to address the needs of people living with chronic pain. As Australia and Canada share many similarities in terms of chronic pain issues we are in a unique position to support and learn from each other.
The evidence shows us that chronic pain constitutes a significant burden of disease. This knowledge together with a blueprint for action in the form of Australia’s National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management has set in train the path to best practice pain care and management. Canada has demonstrated significant progress towards a world leading national approach to pain management. We hope the momentum of this work can continue to improve the lives of Canadians living with chronic pain
Read our submission here.
Submission to the TGA Consultation on down scheduling CBD
Painaustralia welcomed the opportunity to provide input to the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) consultation on the proposal to down schedule cannabidiol (CBD). We strongly recommended further education and awareness around the over the counter (OTC) use of CBD and its broader role in effective pain management to ensure that consumers are vigilant to both the benefits and risks posed by these pharmacological therapies.
We are cautiously supportive of the down scheduling of CBD to a Schedule 3 listing at a maximum dose of 60mg however our preference would be a dosage of 40mg in accordance with new international conventions.
Painaustralia also emphasised the need for any change to be undertaken with consideration of the context in which these products are used and the evidence base that supports the use of CBD for chronic pain. It is essential that new pharmacological treatments for pain be accompanied by multidisciplinary treatment access to enable best practice pain management.
While Painaustralia supports current efforts to enable and expedite access to CBD, we remain concerned about the unintended consequences of inappropriate OTC access and would like to see rigorous evaluation of the impact of this measure.
Read a summary of our submission here. Read our full submission here.
Submission to CDC
Painaustralia was pleased to provide input informing the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) consultation on Management of Acute and Chronic Pain.
Painaustralia recognises the significant challenge that most developed countries like the US face in managing both the increasing prevalence of chronic pain in tandem with the current public health crises that have emerged from an over reliance on pharmacological pathways to manage this complex chronic condition.
Current research indicates that multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary pain management is the most efficient, effective and practical approach to managing chronic pain. Unfortunately, awareness of this care is lower than it should be. There is no quick fix and a great deal more can be done to increase education and awareness in the community.
The evidence shows us that chronic pain constitutes a significant burden of disease. America has demonstrated significant progress towards tackling the opioid crisis through its regulatory reforms. Painaustralia has noted that if we want to reduce reliance on quick fix medication solutions and the associated harms, we need to invest in the treatments that work alongside or instead of medication to maximise health outcomes.
Read our submission here.
Submission to National Injury Prevention Strategy Consultation
Painaustralia was pleased to contribute to the National Injury Prevention Strategy Consultation. With injuries being the leading cause of death for those aged 1-44 years [i] and responsible for approximately 9% of the total burden of disease in Australia[ii], its imperative that the associated pain that comes with injury is properly treated.
Preventing the potential of chronic pain escalation is essential in easing the current burden on Australians and the Australian health system. A multidisciplinary pain management approach should be adopted to prevent further complications of chronic pain.
Injuries can be prevented to an extent through the implementation of evidence-based policy and research. However not all injury is preventable, but the escalation of injury can be minimised through preventative self-management strategies mixed with timely intervention and treatment of the initial injury.
Painaustralia is supportive of the National Injury Prevention Strategy and acknowledges the key role that injury prevention must play as a preventative strategy under the National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management.
Read our submission here.
Submission to Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC)
In responding to a request from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC), Painaustralia provided lived consumer experience of SLE/Lupus to inform the PBAC’s consideration of an application at the July 2020 meeting.