PARACETAMOL ACCESS SAVED FOR NOW

03 February 2023

Today’s interim decision by the TGA delegate not to recommend the upscheduling of paracetamol and to not restrict purchases based on age is a sensible decision for consumers who live with chronic pain, said Painaustralia CEO Giulia Jones.

“Painaustralia’s concerns about the detrimental impacts limiting paracetamol access to people who live with chronic pain and rely on paracetamol to self-manage their day to day lives have been taken seriously by the delegate,” she said.

“If the original proposals had been accepted, people in chronic pain would have been significantly detrimentally affected, having to pay more and go to the doctor more often.

“Life would have been much harder for those on low incomes, in regional and rural areas who work to self-manage their pain without the same access that people in the cities and with higher incomes can afford.”

Ms Jones said the interim decision not to upschedule modified release paracetamol is particularly sensible as the nation faces a GP access crisis, compounding the problems people in pain face.

“On every bus, in every office and across every suburb of Australia pain does not discriminate. One in five Australians live with pain. These people already suffer from discrimination, being mocked, and belittled when they seek help and often are not believed,” she said.

We note the interim decision released today acknowledges how people in pain would be affected by further restrictions to paracetamol with the delegate noting Painaustralia’s advocacy.

“I note the considerable concerns raised regarding the impacts this would have on the consumers ability to self-manage chronic pain, particularly regarding those living in rural and remote areas…I make particular note of Painaustralia’s concerns regarding the significant psychological effects of chronic pain sufferers regarding limitations on access to analgesics.”

The delegate also noted there had been insufficient time to analyse what impact having modified release paracetamol behind the counter has made.

“Modified release paracetamol was only put behind the counter in pharmacies less than 2 years ago and the effect of this change has not yet been analysed” Ms Jones said.

Ms Jones said the interim decision was not perfect, as the recommendation to reduce the size of packs available for purchase in supermarkets would still impact consumers who live in pain.

“This will still affect low-income earners and those struggling the most with day-to-day life as they will need to return time and again to the supermarket to maintain supply if they do not have easy access to a pharmacy. However, on balance this is a sensible outcome for consumers,” she said.

Painaustralia would also welcome a discussion about safe storage of medicines at home, going to the original stated intention of keeping young people safe from overdose using paracetamol.

Painaustralia urges the TGA to adopt the delegate’s interim decision when it is considered in April this year.

Media enquiries please contact Giulia Jones on 0439 958 298