Printed product information inserts (PIs) will no longer be required in the packaging of injectable medicines that are administered by health professionals from 01 Sep. The news was delivered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration yesterday in a release that also stated “Approved PIs for all these products will still need to be available on our website”.

Products administered by health professionals such as nurses, doctors or pharmacists are the only ones affected. An example of the types of medicines administered by health professionals include vaccines. Medicines that are used by patients or their carers will still be required to come with a copy of the PI. The decision was made after consultation with the public as well as consultation with industry and health professionals including pharmacists. One of the reasons to move PIs online for medicines administered by health professionals was the ability to ensure the information was the latest version possible, as well as the environmental impact from printing the documents, many of which are typically 10-35 pages. Products manufactured before 01 Sep that are already in supply will continue to have the PI as a package insert.