Fed: PGA says govt should enter painkiller debate

AAP General News (Australia)
02-01-2004
Fed: PGA says govt should enter painkiller debate

CANBERRA, Feb 1 AAP - Pharmacists today called on the federal government to get involved
in the debate about the supermarket sale of some painkillers.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia (PGA), along with the Australian Medical Association
(AMA), is pushing the government to review a decision which allows supermarkets to sell
painkillers containing the anti-inflammatory analgesic ibuprofen from January 1.

The drugs have been in the spotlight since the US Food and Drug Administration launched
a campaign warning of their potential side effects, including severe kidney damage and
stomach bleeding, in certain circumstances.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), the national drugs regulator, defended
the decision to allow the drugs to be made available through shops and supermarkets.

PGA president John Bronger said the federal government had a responsibility to enter
the debate about the availability of over-the-counter painkillers.

"It is simply not good enough to leave the public comment to Dr John McEwen of the
Therapeutic Goods Administration, especially as he chaired the committee that approved
the descheduling of ibuprofen last year," he said.

"Obviously he will defend the decision that was made then despite strong opposition
from both the Pharmacy Guild and the AMA."

Mr Bronger said the government should re-open the inquiry into the descheduling of ibuprofen.

"(They need to) make the sensible decision to put it back where it belongs - to be
sold only in pharmacies with access to appropriate advice," he said.

Mr Bronger said the Pharmacy Guild had hundreds of documented cases in which pharmacists
had intervened to stop people buying ibuprofen because of existing medical conditions
or other medication they were taking.

AAP so/cdh/jv/jlw

KEYWORD: PAINKILLERS

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