TGA Initial Discussion paper - Improving access to prescription medicines information

No doubt you are aware that the Therapeutic Goods Administration ("TGA") recently engaged the services of mpconsulting to provide advice to the TGA on the most appropriate means for improving consumer and professional access to web-based copies of up-to-date Consumer Medicine Information ("CMI") and Product Information ("PI") documents.

Consequently, mpconsulting has prepared an Initial Discussion Paper on improving access to prescription medicines information, which:

• provides information about the means by which the TGA currently regulates CMIs and PIs;
• provides information about some of the ways in which consumers and professionals currently access up-to-date CMIs and PIs;
• identifies certain concerns raised with the TGA regarding access to up-to-date CMIs and PIs; and
• requests information on current mechanisms of information dissemination.

Please click here to view the Initial Discussion Paper.

While the paper is only a scoping exercise at this stage, its purpose is to facilitate better identification of key stakeholders and existing mechanisms for providing consumers and health care professionals with access to up-to-date CMIs and PIs.

We would be pleased to assist you if you are interested in making any submissions regarding this matter to the TGA. We would be happy to make those submissions on a named or unnamed basis. Written submissions must be sent to mpconsulting by 27 June 2005.

Mpconsulting will also be holding forums with stakeholders to gain further advice on these issues. We intend to attend the forums in Sydney, on 7 June, and in Melbourne on 9 June. We will contact you again once recommendations have been put forward by mpconsulting.

If you have any questions in relation to the Initial Discussion Paper, please telephone one of the contacts listed below.