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    Widening consumer access to medicines: A comparison of prescription to non-prescription medicine switch in Australia and New Zealand

    230604_230604.pdf (564.0Kb)
    Access Status
    Open access
    Authors
    Gauld, N.
    Kelly, F.
    Emmerton, Lynne
    Buetow, S.
    Date
    2015
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Citation
    Gauld, N. and Kelly, F. and Emmerton, L. and Buetow, S. 2015. Widening consumer access to medicines: A comparison of prescription to non-prescription medicine switch in Australia and New Zealand. PLoS ONE. 10 (3).
    Source Title
    PLoS ONE
    DOI
    10.1371/journal.pone.0119011
    School
    School of Pharmacy
    Remarks

    This open access article is distributed under the Creative Commons license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/30857
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    Background: Despite similarities in health systems and Trans-Tasman Harmonization of medicines scheduling, New Zealand is more active than Australia in 'switching' (reclassifying) medicines from prescription to non-prescription. Objectives: To identify and compare enablers and barriers to switch in New Zealand and Australia. Methods: We conducted and analyzed 27 in-depth personal interviews with key participants in NZ and Australia and international participants previously located in Australia, and analyzed records of meetings considering switches (2000-2013). Analysis of both sets of data entailed a heuristic qualitative approach that embraced the lead researcher's knowledge and experience. Results: The key themes identified were conservatism and political influences in Australia, and an open attitude, proactivity and flexibility in NZ. Pharmacist-only medicine schedules and individuals holding a progressive attitude were proposed to facilitate switch in both countries. A pharmacy retail group drove many switches in NZ ('third-party switch'), unlike Australia. Barriers to switch in both countries included small market sizes, funding of prescription medicines and cost of doctor visits, and lack of market exclusivity. In Australia, advertising limitations for pharmacist-only medicines reportedly discouraged industry from submitting switch applications. Perceptions of pharmacy performance could help or hinder switches. Conclusion: Committee and regulator openness to switch, and confidence in pharmacy appear to influence consumer access to medicines. The pharmacist-only medicine schedule in Australasia and the rise of third-party switch and flexibility in switch in NZ could be considered elsewhere to enable switch.

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      Background: Switching or reclassifying medicines with established safety profiles from prescription to non-prescription aims to increase timely consumer access to medicines, reduce under-treatment and enhance self-management. ...
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      Background: Widening access to medicines through reclassification (‘switching’) of medicines from prescription to non-prescription is an international trend generally welcomed by community pharmacists. Research has focused ...
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