The Special Access Scheme C Pathway
Starting this January, doctors, nurses and other qualified medical practitioners will have the right to prescribe therapeutic vapes. However, this should be done to help with smoking cessation needs or manage nicotine dependence. This is made possible via special access scheme C pathway significantly lowering administrative pressure applying to TGA for pre-approval.
Starting March 2024, all non-therapeutic vape imports are prohibited, including the ones under personal importation scheme. In other words, no patient even with a prescription can order vapes from abroad anymore.
Non-therapeutic, non-nicotine vapes imported before March 2024 can be sold by vape suppliers.
The Way Forward For Australian Vape Retailers
All therapeutic vapes either manufactured or imported before March 2024, can still be supplied by pharmacists. However, the vapes must meet the product standards applicable during that time. It’s a welcome decision that will allow seamless supply of therapeutic vapes and keep running the businesses for several retailers. Local liquid lab brands like Ocenea Liquids continue to supply cleanroom ejuice to retailers which seems to be the only viable option.
Further, therapeutic vapes with medicinal cannabis will follow a different regulation.
In all probability, there will be new standards for private label e liquid manufacturing, particularly for therapeutic vapes with reduced permissible nicotine concentrations.
