This consultation closed on 20 October 2016
Invitation to comment
The TGA sought comments from interested parties on the following proposed amendments to the Poisons Standard referred by the delegate for scheduling advice to the Advisory Committee on Chemicals and Medicines Scheduling (Joint ACCS-ACMS).
| Substance | Proposal |
|---|---|
| Pentobarbital (Pentobarbitone) | The Delegate is considering up-scheduling pentobarbital (pentobarbitone)when packed and labelled for injection from Schedule 4 (Prescription Medicines Only or Prescription Animal Remedy) to Schedule 8 (Controlled Drug e.g. like morphine). This is due to the reported misuse of injectable pentobarbital and its involvement in suicides and whether the greater access control of Schedule 8 is more appropriate. |
| Cannabis | The final decision for cannabis provides for hemp seed oil to be exempt from Schedules 8 and 9 when the levels of total cannabinoids are 50 mg/kg or less. Due to further information provided after the publication of the final decision, the scheduling delegate is undertaking further consideration. This proposal seeks to determine whether this cut-off for total cannabinoids is appropriate for hemp seed oil, and the delegate is requesting additional information on the levels of cannabinoids (including tetrahydrocannabinols) in hemp seed oil. The delegate is also proposing to add to the cannabis entries regarding the hemp seed oil exception the following: "when labelled with either of the following warning statements:
|
| Substance | Proposal |
|---|---|
| Epidermal Growth Factor | An applicant has proposed the following: Schedule 7 - Amend EntryEpidermal Growth Factor except:
|
Timetable
Document released for consultation on Thursday 22 September 2016.
Interested parties should respond by close of business Thursday 20 October 2016.
Feedback will be released following consideration of submissions. (See 'What will happen').
About the consultation
This consultation is inviting public submissions under subsection 42ZCZK/42ZCZL of the Therapeutic Goods Regulations 1990 (the Regulations).
The delegate of the Secretary of the Department of Health hereby gives notice that the proposed amendments to the current Poisons Standard contained in this notice will be referred for scheduling advice to relevant expert advisory committees.
Accordingly, the above scheduling proposals are open for public submissions. Submissions must be relevant to the proposed amendment, must address a matter mentioned in section 52E of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 and be received by the closing date.
Content of submissions
Submissions may address any, or all, of the proposed amendments to the Poisons Standard (Chemicals) or other identified issues.
In addition, submissions might include:
- Suggested improvements;
- Whether or not you support the amendment/s. If you do not support the amendment/s, you may make suggestions for an alternative acceptable to you; and/or
- An assessment of how the proposed change will impact on you. That is, what do you see as the likely benefits or costs to you (these may be financial or non-financial). If possible, please attempt to quantify these costs and benefits.
What will happen
All submissions will be placed on the TGA website unless marked confidential or indicated otherwise in the submission cover sheet (see Privacy information).
Submissions will be reviewed by the TGA and published on the TGA website: feedback on submissions will be provided through the TGA website at Public submissions on scheduling matters.
Scheduling decisions made by the chemicals delegate following consideration of submissions from interested parties, along with advice from the Advisory Committee on Chemicals Scheduling (ACCS) will be published on the TGA website as interim decisions.
Privacy information
- The TGA collects your personal information in this submission for the following reasons:
- To contact you if the TGA wants to seek clarification of issues raised in your submission or to check whether you consent to certain information that you have provided being made publicly available; and
- To help provide context about your submission (e.g. to determine whether you are an individual or a director of a company or representing an interest group).
- The TGA will disclose your name and (if applicable) your designation/work title on the TGA website (i.e. make this information publicly available) if you consent to the publication of your name on the TGA website (please complete the cover sheet).
- Any text within the body of your submission that you want to remain confidential should be clearly marked 'IN CONFIDENCE'.
- Please do not include personal information about other individuals in the body of your submission. Personal information in this context means information or an opinion about an individual whose identity is apparent, or can reasonably be ascertained, from the information or opinion.
Enquiries
Any questions relating to submissions should be directed by email to chemicals.scheduling@tga.gov.au.