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Pain relief medications ‘critical’ to Made in Australia strategy
The Federal Government’s decision to assist fund Australian-made IV fluids – a critical part of its Made in Australia strategy – should be a stepping stone to adding pain relief medications to the home-grown medical program.
There is a dire shortage of pain relief medications and seniors, in particular, are the victims, especially in the latter stages of their lives.
The Federal Government will invest $20 million to expand the local manufacturing of IV (intravenous) fluids, partnering with Baxter Healthcare to grow its existing facility at Old Toongabbie in western Sydney.
Baxter Healthcare will match the investment with $20 million, expanding local IV fluid production by at least 20 million units, with 80 million units being produced annually by 2027.
But Palliative Care Australia (PCA), while welcoming the initiative, wants the government to aim higher and address the shortage of pain relief medications throughout the medical system.
PCA chief executive officer Camilla Rowland says ongoing shortages of IV fluids have been a huge concern for clinicians since 2023, but over the same timeframe, even longer in some cases, there have been heartbreaking shortages of pain relief medications for people dying.
“In the same way that government and industry are investing in local production to solve the IV fluids shortage, we need to do the same for pain relief medications so that people can die with peace and dignity, and families aren’t left with the trauma of seeing loved ones in pain and distress.”
Australia already has a role in the global production, with Tasmania the world’s largest producer of the raw ingredient needed for many of these medicines – poppies – that produce a material known as alkaloid, a core ingredient in a range of pain relief pharmaceuticals.
“This is a significant competitive advantage for Australia as global supply chains falter and business models are challenged,” Rowland says.
“Our experience during COVID also demonstrates that we have the skills and capacity to manufacture vaccines locally – at that time we were able to have some independence from supply shortages and global transport challenges and look after our own.
“A future Made in Australia strategy must include medicines. Using Australian-grown poppies to make pain relief medications for Australians just makes sense.”
With the support of six other health and care organisations, PCA has presented an 11-point plan to Health Minster Mark Butler to resolve the ongoing shortage of pain relief medications.
“Apart from making these medicines in Australia, we are also advocating for a national stockpile to be established and for pharmaceutical companies to give more notice of impending shortages,” Rowland says.
“We want to be partners in solving an issue that has gone on for far too long. The wider community is also calling for action, with close to 35,0000 signatures on our “better access to palliative care” petition.
Brendan Cummins, Baxter’s vice president and general manager for Australia and New Zealand, says the $40 million committed to expanding the Old Toongabbie plant is the single largest investment in the site since opening its doors more than 50 years ago.
“Our manufacturing plant is a cutting-edge facility, thanks to the local expertise of our employees who continuously step up to support local caregivers and patients across Australia.”
