Govt to allow nurse practitioners and all medical practitioners to prescribe vapes for therapeutic use.

From 01 Jan 2024, the Federal Govt will implement a ban on the importation of disposable single-use vapes, subject to legislative and administrative arrangements being approved, including by the Governor-General in the Federal Executive Council.  
 
In parallel with this ban, a new Special Access Scheme pathway to prescribe vapes will commence on 01 Jan next year which will facilitate improved access to therapeutic vapes, whereby all medical practitioners and nurse practitioners will be able to prescribe their use where clinically appropriate.
 
Further changes are marked to commence on 01 Mar 2024, including the cessation of the personal importation of vapes, and ban on the importation of non-therapeutic vapes.

Therapeutic vape importers and manufacturers will also be required to notify the TGA of their product’s compliance with the relevant product standards, and

importers will need to obtain a licence and permit from the Australian Govt’s Office of Drug Control before the products are imported.

To introduce and enforce these reforms, the Govt will provide an additional $25 million to Australian Border Force and $56.9 million to the TGA over two years.

More details in tomorrow’s issue of Pharmacy Daily.