Painaustralia policy

Painaustralia provided input to the following consultations:

Medical Research Future Fund Priorities

Painaustralia provided input to the Australian Medical Research Advisory Board’s national consultation to inform the development of the second set of Medical Research Future Fund Australian Medical Research and Innovation Priorities for 2018-2020. Painaustralia recommended two key strategies to deliver an improved outcome in pain research that could make a difference to awareness, understanding and management of the burden of chronic pain in Australia: a targeted research strategy for pain and a National Institute for Pain Research. To read our submission, click here.

TGA Consultation on Boxed Warnings

Painaustralia provided input to the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s consultation on boxed warning guidance for prescription medicines in Australia. Boxed warnings within the Product Information document for a medicine can represent one of the most serious types of warnings that can be mandated by a regulatory agency as a risk mitigation strategy.  The guidance is intended to assist sponsors to understand their obligations and prescribers to understand the rationale for the warning and the magnitude of risk. This is of particular relevance to the growing concerns around prescribing and misuse of pharmaceutical opioids in Australia. 

Painaustralia’s submission calls for the need to create greater awareness of appropriate use of opioids and other medications and risks associated with misuse but notes the need for proactive strategies that address current prescribing issues.   

Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee Inquiry into the My Health Records Amendment (Strengthening Privacy) Bill 2018

Painaustralia provided input to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee Inquiry into the My Health Records Amendment (Strengthening Privacy) Bill 2018. Painaustralia noted an effective and responsive electronic health record that enables consumers and health providers access to accurate health records and information is an important part of pain management. 

Painaustralia in the Media

Recent Painaustralia media focussed on proposed Private Health Insurance changes and aged care including:

• Painaustralia’s media release welcoming the reappointment of Minister Greg Hunt was covered by Mirage News.
• Our comments around the impact of changes to Private Health Insurance was  covered in the Herald Sun and Mirage News.
• Painaustralia  featured in an article by SBS Insight on pain featuring consumer representative Leah Dwyer.   
• Painaustralia commented on the use of facial recognition technology for pain assessment, monitoring and management in aged care on National Nine News.
• ABC article on Private Health Insurance changes.
• ABC radio interview on the proposed Private Health Insurance changes.