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Monday, 27 February 2012
Page: 953

Naltrexone

(Question No. 1492)

Senator Abetz asked the Minister representing the Minister for Health, upon notice, on 13 December 2011:

In regard to the National Health and Medical Research Council report into naltrexone implants, can the names of the persons who wrote the original draft and all those who were involved in the review be provided.

Senator Ludwig: The Minister for Health has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

The 'Naltrexone implant treatment for opioid dependence-Literature Review' (Literature Review) was drafted by staff within the office of the National Health and Medical Research Centre (NHMRC). The Group Head overseeing this work was Professor John McCallum.

The resulting draft literature review was considered by an expert reference group convened by NHMRC. Details of the reference group are available on NHMRC's website. The Literature Review was updated to incorporate the reference groups' comments.

The Literature Review was subsequently peer reviewed by the following five external experts:

Professor Andrew McKinnon, expertise in the design, conduct and analysis of Psychiatry Trials, University of Melbourne.

Professor Wayne Hall, expertise in addiction medicine and policy, University of Queensland.

Associate Professor Nicholas Lintzeris, expertise in addiction medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

Dr Alex Wodak, expertise in addiction medicine, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney; and

Dr Yvonne Bonomo, expertise in addiction medicine, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne.