Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Hansard source

The decisions made in relation to medicines such as codeine are not made by politicians, and I expect people across Australia are very happy that they are not. They are made by independent experts in these types of areas.

My understanding is that the TGA have received many submissions in relation to this issue of codeine moving to being prescription only, and that they have deferred a final decision on this while they are awaiting further information so they can consider it and take further advice. The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, I understand, is involved in this process, in providing information to the TGA when it comes to MedAssist. I think it is very appropriate that those companies and those health professionals are involved in advising the TGA in terms of this process.