Mr Murphy asked the Minister for Health and Ageing, upon notice, on 11 February 2004:

(1) In respect of the statements in the June 2003 edition of the MIMS Annual at Paragraph 18-1428 that relate to Postinor-2, what insurance risk factors did the National Drugs and Poisons Scheduling Committee consider when making its Supply Mode decision to permit pharmacists to sell Postinor-2 without prescription.

(2) Is he aware of the statement of `contraindications' in relation to Postinor-2 that (a) “it should not be given to pregnant women” and (b) “if menstrual bleeding is overdue, if the last menstrual period was abnormal in timing or character or if pregnancy is suspected for any other reason, pregnancy should be excluded (by pregnancy testing or pelvic examination) before treatment is given”.

(3) What action will a pharmacist be required to take in order to be satisfied that, when a woman seeks Postinor-2, (a) the woman is or is not pregnant, (b) the woman's menstrual period is or is not abnormal, and (c) the timing of her cycle is or is not regular or late.

(4) What insurance is available for pharmacists who sell Postinor-2 in relation to any potential health risks or side effects that a woman might experience by taking Postinor-2; if no insurance exists, what steps is he taking to ensure an appropriate insurance policy is available.

Mr Abbott (Minister for Health and Ageing) —The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1) The National Drugs and Poisons Scheduling Committee is not required to consider insurance risk factors when making a scheduling decision. It must take account of relevant matters set out in section 52E of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.

(2) (a) and (b) Yes.

(3) (a), (b) and (c) The pharmacist is expected to exercise professional judgment and comply with professional standards when supplying Postinor-2. This would include asking a series of questions to determine the answers to the three questions posed. If there is doubt as to whether the woman should take Postinor-2, it is open to the pharmacist to refer her to a medical practitioner.

(4) It is up to the individual pharmacist to have appropriate professional indemnity insurance in place. At least one organisation offers specialised insurance to pharmacists.