1 00:00:10,294 --> 00:00:13,254 Speaker 1: So you're listening to a Muma Mea podcast. 2 00:00:14,094 --> 00:00:17,174 Speaker 2: Mumma Mea acknowledges the traditional owners of land and waters 3 00:00:17,214 --> 00:00:18,934 Speaker 2: that this podcast is recorded on. 4 00:00:21,534 --> 00:00:24,694 Speaker 3: Hey, I'm Taylor Strano. This is Mumma MIA's twice daily 5 00:00:24,734 --> 00:00:28,934 Speaker 3: news podcast, The Quickie. Recently people have been reporting struggles 6 00:00:28,974 --> 00:00:31,214 Speaker 3: with access to their ADHD medication. 7 00:00:31,614 --> 00:00:33,214 Speaker 4: So I just went to the chemist to film a 8 00:00:33,214 --> 00:00:36,774 Speaker 4: ADHD medication. There's a shortage. Okay, I couldn't fill my 9 00:00:36,814 --> 00:00:39,294 Speaker 4: script last month and I wrote it out hoping that 10 00:00:39,294 --> 00:00:41,414 Speaker 4: it would be fine, and it's not been fine. And 11 00:00:41,814 --> 00:00:43,614 Speaker 4: they you say that they don't have any available to 12 00:00:43,654 --> 00:00:46,214 Speaker 4: like January twentieth, absolutely up creek. 13 00:00:46,494 --> 00:00:48,454 Speaker 3: And it's not just adults who are staring down the 14 00:00:48,454 --> 00:00:52,014 Speaker 3: barrel of going without. Thousands of ODDY families are facing 15 00:00:52,054 --> 00:00:55,214 Speaker 3: the reality of kids heading back to school without medications 16 00:00:55,214 --> 00:00:58,894 Speaker 3: that could be essential to their classroom learning experience. Plus, 17 00:00:58,934 --> 00:01:01,614 Speaker 3: the Minister for Women joins us later this episode to 18 00:01:01,654 --> 00:01:04,734 Speaker 3: talk through the new multi million dollar women's health initiative 19 00:01:04,974 --> 00:01:08,014 Speaker 3: just announced by the federal government. Before we get into that, 20 00:01:08,094 --> 00:01:10,374 Speaker 3: here's Claire Murphy with the latest from the Quickie news 21 00:01:10,454 --> 00:01:12,134 Speaker 3: room for Tuesday, February eleven. 22 00:01:12,734 --> 00:01:15,654 Speaker 2: Thanks Taylor, Matilda's captain Sam Kerr has been left to 23 00:01:15,654 --> 00:01:18,574 Speaker 2: wait overnight as the jury in her racial harassment case 24 00:01:18,854 --> 00:01:21,894 Speaker 2: failed to return a verdict. At her London trial, Kerr 25 00:01:21,894 --> 00:01:24,974 Speaker 2: has been accused of causing a London police officer harassment, 26 00:01:25,054 --> 00:01:28,654 Speaker 2: alarm or distress after twice referring to him as stupid 27 00:01:28,774 --> 00:01:31,694 Speaker 2: and white after a taxi driver took her and her 28 00:01:31,734 --> 00:01:34,494 Speaker 2: partner to a police station for failing to agree to 29 00:01:34,534 --> 00:01:36,534 Speaker 2: a clean up fee for one of them throwing up 30 00:01:36,534 --> 00:01:39,494 Speaker 2: out the window. Kerr says she believed the taxi driver 31 00:01:39,574 --> 00:01:42,254 Speaker 2: had kidnapped them and that the police officer treated her 32 00:01:42,334 --> 00:01:44,814 Speaker 2: differently than her partner due to the color of her skin. 33 00:01:45,254 --> 00:01:47,534 Speaker 2: The jury of eight women and four men fail to 34 00:01:47,574 --> 00:01:50,054 Speaker 2: reach a unanimous decision before the end of the day, 35 00:01:50,334 --> 00:01:53,374 Speaker 2: they will return to deliberations as Kerr waits to see 36 00:01:53,374 --> 00:01:56,454 Speaker 2: if she'll be able to defend her reputation, her status 37 00:01:56,454 --> 00:01:58,894 Speaker 2: as the captain of the Matildas, and whether she may 38 00:01:58,934 --> 00:02:01,574 Speaker 2: do any time behind bars, with the charge carrying a 39 00:02:01,574 --> 00:02:05,094 Speaker 2: maximum penalty of twenty six weeks in jail. The first 40 00:02:05,334 --> 00:02:09,534 Speaker 2: US tariffs to potentially impact Australia directly have businesses concerned 41 00:02:09,534 --> 00:02:12,414 Speaker 2: and that jobs and living standards are under threat. Prime 42 00:02:12,454 --> 00:02:15,574 Speaker 2: Minister Anthony Alberizi has a phone call scheduled with Donald 43 00:02:15,574 --> 00:02:19,214 Speaker 2: Trump today to discuss the blanket twenty five percent tariff 44 00:02:19,254 --> 00:02:22,374 Speaker 2: placed on all steel and aluminium imports into the US, 45 00:02:22,734 --> 00:02:26,374 Speaker 2: a move that would have significant implications for the Australian industry. 46 00:02:26,734 --> 00:02:30,174 Speaker 2: According to the Mineral's Council of Australia CEO Tenure Constable, 47 00:02:30,534 --> 00:02:33,534 Speaker 2: government officials have been attempting to secure an exemption for 48 00:02:33,614 --> 00:02:38,414 Speaker 2: Australian exporters, Mister Albanzi hoping to secure that today. US 49 00:02:38,494 --> 00:02:41,734 Speaker 2: President Donald Trump has said that Palestinians will have no 50 00:02:41,974 --> 00:02:44,774 Speaker 2: right of return if his plan of US ownership of 51 00:02:44,774 --> 00:02:48,214 Speaker 2: the Gaza strip is successful. The comments go against those 52 00:02:48,214 --> 00:02:51,614 Speaker 2: of his officials who'd recently tried to downplay Trump's move 53 00:02:51,614 --> 00:02:54,694 Speaker 2: into the region, saying he meant that Palestinians would only 54 00:02:54,734 --> 00:02:59,494 Speaker 2: be temporarily relocated. Trump also ramped up pressure on Arab states, 55 00:02:59,614 --> 00:03:03,574 Speaker 2: especially their allies Jordan and Egypt, to take in Palestinians 56 00:03:03,574 --> 00:03:07,334 Speaker 2: from Gaza, saying he'll build safe communities a little bit 57 00:03:07,374 --> 00:03:10,014 Speaker 2: away from where they are where all of the day injuries, 58 00:03:10,254 --> 00:03:12,654 Speaker 2: saying think of it as a real estate development of 59 00:03:12,694 --> 00:03:15,094 Speaker 2: the future and that he would own it. He also 60 00:03:15,174 --> 00:03:18,094 Speaker 2: claimed no big money would be spent as he plans 61 00:03:18,134 --> 00:03:20,414 Speaker 2: to turn the Gaza Strip into the riviera of the 62 00:03:20,454 --> 00:03:24,174 Speaker 2: Middle East. A senior Hamas official blasted Trump over the plan, 63 00:03:24,334 --> 00:03:27,574 Speaker 2: calling it absurd, saying it reflects a deep ignorance of 64 00:03:27,614 --> 00:03:30,934 Speaker 2: Palestine in the region, saying Trump's approach to the Palestinian 65 00:03:31,014 --> 00:03:34,854 Speaker 2: cause will fail. Meanwhile, the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas 66 00:03:34,894 --> 00:03:37,934 Speaker 2: has hit a roadblock, with Hammas accusing Israel of violating 67 00:03:37,974 --> 00:03:41,014 Speaker 2: the terms of the agreement. The deal, which Hamas committed 68 00:03:41,054 --> 00:03:44,494 Speaker 2: to releasing thirty three hostages captured during the October seven 69 00:03:44,654 --> 00:03:48,894 Speaker 2: terror attack in exchange for two thousand Palestinian prisoners, has 70 00:03:48,934 --> 00:03:52,614 Speaker 2: so far seen five successful swaps take place, with twenty 71 00:03:52,614 --> 00:03:55,774 Speaker 2: one hostages now back home and seven hundred and thirty 72 00:03:55,814 --> 00:03:58,854 Speaker 2: prisoners returned to Gaza, with the next exchange set up 73 00:03:58,894 --> 00:04:02,414 Speaker 2: for this coming Saturday, but Hamas says Israel has blocked 74 00:04:02,414 --> 00:04:06,254 Speaker 2: Palestinians from returning to northern Gaza, have carried out strikes 75 00:04:06,254 --> 00:04:09,214 Speaker 2: across the Gaza Strip, and have failed to facilitate the 76 00:04:09,294 --> 00:04:12,534 Speaker 2: end tree of humanitarian aid, saying they will now delay 77 00:04:12,694 --> 00:04:16,214 Speaker 2: the next exchange Israel's Defense minister says the plan to 78 00:04:16,334 --> 00:04:19,174 Speaker 2: delay the release of hostages was a complete violation of 79 00:04:19,174 --> 00:04:22,294 Speaker 2: the ceasefire agreement, instructing their military to be on the 80 00:04:22,374 --> 00:04:25,894 Speaker 2: highest level of alert. While the world watched rapper Kendrick 81 00:04:25,934 --> 00:04:29,454 Speaker 2: Lamar diss Drake during her Super Bowl halftime show, Drake 82 00:04:29,534 --> 00:04:32,814 Speaker 2: was in Australia recovering from his Melbourne performance the night before. 83 00:04:33,174 --> 00:04:35,934 Speaker 2: Drake took to the stage at rod Laver Arena Sunday night, 84 00:04:36,094 --> 00:04:39,734 Speaker 2: giving two audience members forty five thousand dollars twenty five 85 00:04:39,774 --> 00:04:42,014 Speaker 2: thousand to one for a sign calling for Drake's son 86 00:04:42,054 --> 00:04:45,094 Speaker 2: of Donnis, to become president and another twenty thousand to 87 00:04:45,134 --> 00:04:48,014 Speaker 2: one that asks for a birthday kiss. The generous acts 88 00:04:48,054 --> 00:04:51,174 Speaker 2: come as Drake's lawyers bring legal action against Lamar's label, 89 00:04:51,294 --> 00:04:54,414 Speaker 2: Universal Music, accusing them of using the feud between the 90 00:04:54,454 --> 00:04:57,054 Speaker 2: two as a scheme to artificially inflate the sales of 91 00:04:57,094 --> 00:04:59,934 Speaker 2: the dis track Not Like Us that Lamar performed at 92 00:04:59,934 --> 00:05:02,014 Speaker 2: the Super Bowl, calling out Drake by name. 93 00:05:02,574 --> 00:05:05,214 Speaker 3: That's what's happening in the world today. Next, how long 94 00:05:05,254 --> 00:05:11,334 Speaker 3: will patients be without their medication? The back to school 95 00:05:11,374 --> 00:05:16,814 Speaker 3: rush is stressful enough. New uniforms, books, lunchboxes. But this year, 96 00:05:17,014 --> 00:05:20,814 Speaker 3: thousands of Australian families are facing an additional challenge that's 97 00:05:20,974 --> 00:05:23,654 Speaker 3: far more serious than forgetting free dress day at school. 98 00:05:24,574 --> 00:05:27,134 Speaker 3: Australia is in the groups of a major shortage of 99 00:05:27,174 --> 00:05:31,174 Speaker 3: ADHD medications, with some of the most commonly prescribed drugs 100 00:05:31,214 --> 00:05:36,654 Speaker 3: being increasingly difficult and in some cases impossible to find. ADHD, 101 00:05:36,854 --> 00:05:41,454 Speaker 3: or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a developmental disorder beginning 102 00:05:41,454 --> 00:05:44,894 Speaker 3: in early childhood. According to Health Direct, around one in 103 00:05:44,974 --> 00:05:48,414 Speaker 3: twenty Australians has ADHD, and it's more common in boys, 104 00:05:48,494 --> 00:05:52,734 Speaker 3: while girls and adults are often underdiagnosed. People living with 105 00:05:52,774 --> 00:05:56,974 Speaker 3: ADHD could experience a range of symptoms like starting a 106 00:05:57,054 --> 00:06:01,254 Speaker 3: task but not finishing it, misplacing or losing items, fidgeting, 107 00:06:01,334 --> 00:06:05,334 Speaker 3: partaking in risky behavior, or choosing smaller awards now over 108 00:06:05,454 --> 00:06:09,494 Speaker 3: larger ones later. But it's important to remember, like everyone 109 00:06:09,574 --> 00:06:13,374 Speaker 3: medical or neurological condition, no two people's experience is the 110 00:06:13,414 --> 00:06:17,574 Speaker 3: same and ADHD can manifest in many many different ways 111 00:06:17,694 --> 00:06:21,934 Speaker 3: person to person or we often think of ADHD medication 112 00:06:22,054 --> 00:06:25,054 Speaker 3: in terms of helping kids focus at school. This shortage 113 00:06:25,094 --> 00:06:27,814 Speaker 3: is affecting Australians of all ages who rely on these 114 00:06:27,854 --> 00:06:31,214 Speaker 3: medications to function in their daily lives, from students and 115 00:06:31,254 --> 00:06:36,054 Speaker 3: teachers to office workers and even parents themselves. More and 116 00:06:36,134 --> 00:06:39,614 Speaker 3: more people are being diagnosed with ADHD every year. The 117 00:06:39,694 --> 00:06:43,374 Speaker 3: latest Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme data shows a massive increase in 118 00:06:43,414 --> 00:06:47,934 Speaker 3: people taking medication, up almost three hundred percent in ten years. 119 00:06:48,374 --> 00:06:51,614 Speaker 3: Across twenty twenty two and twenty twenty three, nearly half 120 00:06:51,654 --> 00:06:55,454 Speaker 3: a million Australians were prescribed and were taking ADHD medication. 121 00:06:56,134 --> 00:06:59,054 Speaker 3: And no, it's not that more people are getting ADHD. 122 00:06:59,254 --> 00:07:01,974 Speaker 3: The spike in diagnosis comes from a growing awareness of 123 00:07:02,014 --> 00:07:05,494 Speaker 3: the condition and, as experts say, an undoing of decades 124 00:07:05,494 --> 00:07:09,214 Speaker 3: of underdiagnosing. But it does mean the shortage is coming 125 00:07:09,254 --> 00:07:12,774 Speaker 3: at a time when an unprecedentedly large number of patients 126 00:07:12,854 --> 00:07:16,774 Speaker 3: are trying to access the drugs. Families are reporting driving 127 00:07:16,814 --> 00:07:19,814 Speaker 3: hours across cities to track down the meds. Others have 128 00:07:19,934 --> 00:07:23,374 Speaker 3: been rationing their children's supplies over the holidays just to 129 00:07:23,414 --> 00:07:26,414 Speaker 3: make sure they have enough for them in term one. 130 00:07:26,454 --> 00:07:29,334 Speaker 3: Some are even sharing their fears that without medication their 131 00:07:29,414 --> 00:07:32,174 Speaker 3: children might not be allowed to stay in school, as 132 00:07:32,174 --> 00:07:36,294 Speaker 3: they struggle to contain themselves in the classroom environment. The 133 00:07:36,334 --> 00:07:40,134 Speaker 3: meds in shortest supply are Concertera and Tiva Farmer Australia's 134 00:07:40,134 --> 00:07:43,654 Speaker 3: modified release tablets, with patients not expecting to see their 135 00:07:43,694 --> 00:07:48,934 Speaker 3: prescriptions back on the shelves anytime soon. So why is 136 00:07:48,974 --> 00:07:52,654 Speaker 3: this happening and what options do families have to help 137 00:07:52,734 --> 00:07:55,854 Speaker 3: us understand? We're joined by Mummumy and newswriter Eilish Delaney, 138 00:07:55,854 --> 00:07:59,534 Speaker 3: who's been investigating the impacts of these shortages on Ozzie families. 139 00:08:00,334 --> 00:08:04,134 Speaker 3: Aili's just how widespread is this shortage of ADHD medication 140 00:08:04,294 --> 00:08:05,454 Speaker 3: across the country right now? 141 00:08:06,174 --> 00:08:09,374 Speaker 5: So Taylor, it's across the country, but it's also global, 142 00:08:09,614 --> 00:08:12,374 Speaker 5: so you'll notice it in pharmacies all around Australia. But 143 00:08:12,734 --> 00:08:15,534 Speaker 5: New Zealand is also reporting a country wide shortage, and 144 00:08:15,574 --> 00:08:16,854 Speaker 5: the UK is struggling to. 145 00:08:17,654 --> 00:08:20,014 Speaker 3: Do we know why this is happening. 146 00:08:20,334 --> 00:08:24,174 Speaker 5: The supply is are blaming manufacturing issues, but addressing that 147 00:08:24,374 --> 00:08:27,494 Speaker 5: is kind of a bit tricky because it's manufactured overseas, 148 00:08:27,574 --> 00:08:30,974 Speaker 5: but the global demand for the medication is also really high. 149 00:08:31,094 --> 00:08:34,614 Speaker 5: The TJA does say that it's working with pharmaceutical companies, 150 00:08:34,734 --> 00:08:38,294 Speaker 5: but approving temporary supplies from other countries is kind of 151 00:08:38,334 --> 00:08:41,414 Speaker 5: just a stopgap measure. So we do actually have some 152 00:08:41,494 --> 00:08:44,174 Speaker 5: more of the medication coming in we've got from I 153 00:08:44,214 --> 00:08:47,534 Speaker 5: believe Switzerland, but to band aid solution. And also the 154 00:08:47,534 --> 00:08:51,494 Speaker 5: process to expand manufacturing is really long and expensive and 155 00:08:51,534 --> 00:08:54,294 Speaker 5: there are regulatory hurdles that we kind of need to 156 00:08:54,374 --> 00:08:55,134 Speaker 5: jump over. 157 00:08:56,174 --> 00:08:58,734 Speaker 3: When we talk about ADHD medication. For a lot of people, 158 00:08:58,774 --> 00:09:01,454 Speaker 3: that might bring a couple of brand names to mind, 159 00:09:01,894 --> 00:09:03,974 Speaker 3: or a couple of different ideas. It might be one 160 00:09:04,014 --> 00:09:06,174 Speaker 3: pillar day, three pills a day. For those of us 161 00:09:06,174 --> 00:09:08,294 Speaker 3: who aren't aware, though, is it across the board the 162 00:09:08,334 --> 00:09:12,534 Speaker 3: ADHD medication is in short supplier or there's specific medications 163 00:09:12,534 --> 00:09:13,734 Speaker 3: that have been affected by this. 164 00:09:14,094 --> 00:09:16,894 Speaker 5: So it's specific medications. So there are a lot of 165 00:09:16,934 --> 00:09:20,094 Speaker 5: different ADHD medications that you can take, but the ones 166 00:09:20,134 --> 00:09:23,294 Speaker 5: that are affected is all strengths of a medication called 167 00:09:23,334 --> 00:09:27,014 Speaker 5: Concerta and another one by Tiava Farm Australia which is 168 00:09:27,054 --> 00:09:30,014 Speaker 5: called methyl fenidate, and it's kind of a slow release 169 00:09:30,134 --> 00:09:33,054 Speaker 5: type of medication that's used to treat ADHD. And there 170 00:09:33,094 --> 00:09:37,254 Speaker 5: are other types of medication that is available, but getting 171 00:09:37,254 --> 00:09:39,454 Speaker 5: the right fix for you is kind of difficult. So 172 00:09:39,494 --> 00:09:41,694 Speaker 5: it's not like there's one med fits everyone when it 173 00:09:41,694 --> 00:09:42,414 Speaker 5: comes to ADHD. 174 00:09:43,294 --> 00:09:45,814 Speaker 3: Yeah, anybody who's taken a medication for a long period 175 00:09:45,854 --> 00:09:48,014 Speaker 3: of time will know there's always an adjustment period. There's 176 00:09:48,014 --> 00:09:50,534 Speaker 3: always a finding the right dosage or the right brand 177 00:09:50,614 --> 00:09:52,974 Speaker 3: or whatever that may be. And for something like ADHD, 178 00:09:53,494 --> 00:09:56,374 Speaker 3: there truly is no one size fits all solutions, So 179 00:09:56,414 --> 00:09:58,654 Speaker 3: it's not as simple as just chopping and changing between 180 00:09:58,694 --> 00:10:00,414 Speaker 3: brands when something goes out of stock. 181 00:10:01,054 --> 00:10:03,174 Speaker 5: Yeah, definitely, And that's what a lot of parents are 182 00:10:03,214 --> 00:10:06,534 Speaker 5: concerned about when they are facing their children heading back 183 00:10:06,534 --> 00:10:09,494 Speaker 5: to school with this shortage. It affects how they can 184 00:10:09,614 --> 00:10:12,374 Speaker 5: focus in a classroom, and it is big adjustment period. 185 00:10:12,494 --> 00:10:15,054 Speaker 5: So kids will either be going without their meds and 186 00:10:15,134 --> 00:10:17,214 Speaker 5: might be harder to deal with in the classroom or 187 00:10:17,254 --> 00:10:19,654 Speaker 5: even at home, or they'll kind of have that teething 188 00:10:19,694 --> 00:10:21,334 Speaker 5: period of having to try and figure out a new 189 00:10:21,374 --> 00:10:22,334 Speaker 5: med that works for them. 190 00:10:22,734 --> 00:10:25,574 Speaker 3: When I hear about things going into short supply, my 191 00:10:25,614 --> 00:10:28,854 Speaker 3: brain's instantly transported back to I don't want to even 192 00:10:28,894 --> 00:10:31,854 Speaker 3: bring it up, but pandemic times, and it's when everybody 193 00:10:31,974 --> 00:10:34,574 Speaker 3: was panic buying things like toilet paper and you couldn't 194 00:10:34,574 --> 00:10:37,334 Speaker 3: buy tomato sauce on the shelf. Is there an instance 195 00:10:37,374 --> 00:10:40,494 Speaker 3: of we're hearing the ADHD medication is going into short supply. 196 00:10:40,614 --> 00:10:42,694 Speaker 3: Can people just then go to the chemist and if 197 00:10:42,694 --> 00:10:44,654 Speaker 3: they happen to have it by four months worth at 198 00:10:44,654 --> 00:10:45,134 Speaker 3: one time? 199 00:10:45,814 --> 00:10:48,814 Speaker 5: Yeah, see, you would think so. But ADHD medication is 200 00:10:49,014 --> 00:10:52,254 Speaker 5: really highly regulated in Australia because it is a stimulant 201 00:10:52,254 --> 00:10:54,534 Speaker 5: and they are trying to prevent the misuse of it. 202 00:10:54,614 --> 00:10:57,094 Speaker 5: So you can only actually get one month's supply for 203 00:10:57,214 --> 00:10:59,854 Speaker 5: most types of medication in Australia, so it's not something 204 00:10:59,854 --> 00:11:02,574 Speaker 5: that you can stockpile like toilet paper or things like that. 205 00:11:02,734 --> 00:11:05,374 Speaker 3: Do we have a timeline of when it'll become more 206 00:11:05,414 --> 00:11:06,334 Speaker 3: widely available? 207 00:11:06,334 --> 00:11:09,494 Speaker 5: Again, for CONCERTA they're saying we have to wait until June, 208 00:11:10,054 --> 00:11:12,734 Speaker 5: and then for the other one with Tiva Farmer, you're 209 00:11:12,774 --> 00:11:14,374 Speaker 5: looking at January next year. 210 00:11:15,854 --> 00:11:19,054 Speaker 3: So six to twelve months that's how long it's expected 211 00:11:19,134 --> 00:11:23,854 Speaker 3: some ADHD medications will be unavailable for patients. In the meantime, 212 00:11:23,934 --> 00:11:26,494 Speaker 3: the advice is for people unable to fill their scrips 213 00:11:26,494 --> 00:11:29,854 Speaker 3: to speak with their healthcare providers to work out alternative plans. 214 00:11:31,454 --> 00:11:34,974 Speaker 3: While we're talking about medication and healthcare today, something else 215 00:11:35,014 --> 00:11:38,214 Speaker 3: that's come across the headlines is the Labor Party. They've 216 00:11:38,214 --> 00:11:41,174 Speaker 3: outlined a new initiative for women's health to the tune 217 00:11:41,214 --> 00:11:45,374 Speaker 3: of five hundred and seventy three million dollars. Claire Murphy 218 00:11:45,534 --> 00:11:48,014 Speaker 3: is joined by the Minister for Women Katie Gallaher to 219 00:11:48,094 --> 00:11:48,814 Speaker 3: find out more. 220 00:11:49,174 --> 00:11:51,574 Speaker 2: Minister, thank you so much for joining us today. This 221 00:11:51,694 --> 00:11:55,334 Speaker 2: obviously is a very big announcement for all Australian women 222 00:11:55,414 --> 00:11:57,894 Speaker 2: really because if you are not in your younger years 223 00:11:57,934 --> 00:12:01,814 Speaker 2: and dealing with things like contraceptives, when you hit your forties, 224 00:12:01,854 --> 00:12:04,014 Speaker 2: you're probably dealing with menopause. And this is a really 225 00:12:04,134 --> 00:12:11,654 Speaker 2: broad spectrum announcement. What information was these decisions based on? 226 00:12:11,734 --> 00:12:14,374 Speaker 2: What were you looking at in order to make these 227 00:12:14,454 --> 00:12:18,454 Speaker 2: kind of broad recommendations for changes to PBS and for 228 00:12:18,614 --> 00:12:20,294 Speaker 2: upskilling healthcare professionals. 229 00:12:20,574 --> 00:12:22,734 Speaker 1: Thanks for having me on like it is a really 230 00:12:22,894 --> 00:12:26,734 Speaker 1: historic announcement around investment into women's health, and it really 231 00:12:26,774 --> 00:12:29,734 Speaker 1: came about after two years of work that's been done 232 00:12:29,774 --> 00:12:33,894 Speaker 1: by Minister Jed Karney and others talking with women, listening 233 00:12:33,934 --> 00:12:37,814 Speaker 1: to women about how they felt in terms of accessing 234 00:12:38,134 --> 00:12:43,534 Speaker 1: medical care, treatments available and out of pocket costs and gaps, 235 00:12:43,614 --> 00:12:45,814 Speaker 1: and so when we had a look at how to 236 00:12:45,854 --> 00:12:48,614 Speaker 1: meet all that, it became clear we needed to list 237 00:12:48,774 --> 00:12:51,534 Speaker 1: more and the newer drugs on the PBS so that 238 00:12:51,734 --> 00:12:54,734 Speaker 1: women can get them cheaper, both for contraception and for 239 00:12:54,814 --> 00:12:58,294 Speaker 1: hormone replacement therapy, but also more support for people who 240 00:12:58,294 --> 00:13:02,694 Speaker 1: were going through menopause and perimenopause. Better access for treatment 241 00:13:02,734 --> 00:13:06,614 Speaker 1: for uncomplicated UTIs. We know that's a problem for women, 242 00:13:06,654 --> 00:13:09,254 Speaker 1: particularly if you can't get into see adoptor. It all 243 00:13:09,294 --> 00:13:12,294 Speaker 1: really came from women telling us and us being in 244 00:13:12,294 --> 00:13:14,894 Speaker 1: a position to find all the money and make sure 245 00:13:14,894 --> 00:13:15,894 Speaker 1: that we can get on with it. 246 00:13:16,254 --> 00:13:18,094 Speaker 2: Well, let's get into the details of that. Can you 247 00:13:18,094 --> 00:13:20,414 Speaker 2: talk us about what kicks in on March first, the 248 00:13:20,534 --> 00:13:24,894 Speaker 2: changes to PBS, both for the contraceptives and for HRT. Yeah, 249 00:13:24,934 --> 00:13:28,694 Speaker 2: so from the first of March, yas and yasmin the 250 00:13:28,814 --> 00:13:32,414 Speaker 2: oral contraceptive pills, and we know about fifty thousand women 251 00:13:32,614 --> 00:13:36,214 Speaker 2: are using those contraceptive pills so they haven't been on 252 00:13:36,254 --> 00:13:39,374 Speaker 2: the PBS, So that means savings of hundreds of dollars 253 00:13:39,374 --> 00:13:42,094 Speaker 2: a year. You will get access to those pills cheaper 254 00:13:42,574 --> 00:13:48,374 Speaker 2: and menopausal hormone therapy, so prometrium, estrogel and estrogel pro 255 00:13:48,854 --> 00:13:51,734 Speaker 2: and about one hundred and fifty thousand women are using those. 256 00:13:51,854 --> 00:13:54,094 Speaker 2: I would expect more will start to use them once 257 00:13:54,134 --> 00:13:56,854 Speaker 2: they are listed on PBS because at the moment, people 258 00:13:56,894 --> 00:14:00,494 Speaker 2: are paying for that themselves and again saving hundreds of 259 00:14:00,534 --> 00:14:01,374 Speaker 2: dollars a year. 260 00:14:01,774 --> 00:14:04,974 Speaker 1: So they will come in on the first of March, 261 00:14:05,054 --> 00:14:07,454 Speaker 1: and part of getting them onto the PBS means we'll 262 00:14:07,454 --> 00:14:09,534 Speaker 1: be able to deal with some of those supply issues 263 00:14:10,014 --> 00:14:13,214 Speaker 1: that particularly for hit that women have been experiencing when 264 00:14:13,214 --> 00:14:16,094 Speaker 1: we've had shortages, because part of coming onto the PBS 265 00:14:16,094 --> 00:14:18,854 Speaker 1: means you have to be able to supply those therapies, 266 00:14:18,974 --> 00:14:21,774 Speaker 1: so it's all less than a month away. I guess 267 00:14:22,054 --> 00:14:25,294 Speaker 1: the long term contraceptives, we've got a really low, well 268 00:14:25,374 --> 00:14:30,294 Speaker 1: comparatively low rate of uptake of long acting contraception, so 269 00:14:30,934 --> 00:14:33,134 Speaker 1: we're looking at how we can support women to have 270 00:14:33,174 --> 00:14:36,214 Speaker 1: better access to IUDs and control some of those out 271 00:14:36,214 --> 00:14:38,294 Speaker 1: of pocket costs that people have been getting. 272 00:14:38,854 --> 00:14:40,974 Speaker 2: What I found really interesting with this announcement is it 273 00:14:41,014 --> 00:14:42,694 Speaker 2: is all well and good to make things cheaper and 274 00:14:42,694 --> 00:14:45,694 Speaker 2: more accessible to people, but if your doctor doesn't know 275 00:14:45,814 --> 00:14:48,894 Speaker 2: enough about it or hasn't been trained specifically enough, especially 276 00:14:48,934 --> 00:14:51,854 Speaker 2: for the insertion of IUDs, which we've been finding more 277 00:14:51,894 --> 00:14:55,014 Speaker 2: and more the pain associated with that is not adequately 278 00:14:55,054 --> 00:14:57,774 Speaker 2: taking care of or the insertion process is difficult for 279 00:14:57,814 --> 00:15:01,614 Speaker 2: some people. So part of the announcement that you've made, 280 00:15:01,614 --> 00:15:04,494 Speaker 2: which obviously does rely on you being re elected at 281 00:15:04,494 --> 00:15:08,614 Speaker 2: the upcoming election, is to create these centers of training excellence. 282 00:15:09,694 --> 00:15:12,014 Speaker 2: Was that something that you really found in these discussions 283 00:15:12,014 --> 00:15:15,014 Speaker 2: with women that it was equally as important as making 284 00:15:15,014 --> 00:15:19,374 Speaker 2: it financially accessible as training those healthcare professionals to insert 285 00:15:19,414 --> 00:15:20,294 Speaker 2: things like IUDs. 286 00:15:20,574 --> 00:15:23,254 Speaker 1: Yeah, absolutely, and we heard that loud and clear. I 287 00:15:23,294 --> 00:15:27,774 Speaker 1: mean not just around the insertion and removal of IUDs, 288 00:15:27,854 --> 00:15:32,094 Speaker 1: but just generally the response for pelvic pain more generally 289 00:15:32,334 --> 00:15:35,854 Speaker 1: as well. And so yes, we need to create centers 290 00:15:35,894 --> 00:15:39,974 Speaker 1: of excellence for training and better upskilling, which is part 291 00:15:40,014 --> 00:15:43,894 Speaker 1: of this package, is about making sure women have more choice, 292 00:15:44,334 --> 00:15:48,814 Speaker 1: lower costs, but importantly better care. Ensuring that we're creating 293 00:15:48,814 --> 00:15:52,094 Speaker 1: these centers of excellence so doctors can get access to 294 00:15:52,134 --> 00:15:55,294 Speaker 1: the best training and therefore be able to provide the 295 00:15:55,334 --> 00:15:58,454 Speaker 1: better care for people, but also opening more of those 296 00:15:58,534 --> 00:16:02,254 Speaker 1: pelvic pain clinics. We've had over twenty open. We're going 297 00:16:02,294 --> 00:16:05,334 Speaker 1: to open another eleven. They're so popular and we already 298 00:16:05,374 --> 00:16:08,614 Speaker 1: know there's unfortunately waiting lists sometimes to get into those. 299 00:16:08,654 --> 00:16:11,974 Speaker 1: So it's another area where in a sense, the health 300 00:16:12,054 --> 00:16:16,454 Speaker 1: system hasn't provided the right care for women at the 301 00:16:16,454 --> 00:16:19,574 Speaker 1: time they need it, so trying to arrest that as well. 302 00:16:19,934 --> 00:16:22,934 Speaker 2: Journal was really difficult to read when you sent out 303 00:16:22,974 --> 00:16:25,414 Speaker 2: the press release on this was that part of this 304 00:16:25,494 --> 00:16:27,734 Speaker 2: plan that would kick in from July one if you 305 00:16:27,734 --> 00:16:31,734 Speaker 2: are reelected, is that the government is going to provide 306 00:16:31,774 --> 00:16:35,374 Speaker 2: funding for health professionals to undertake additional training in menopause 307 00:16:35,374 --> 00:16:37,694 Speaker 2: and perimenopause, which we know there is a big knowledge 308 00:16:37,694 --> 00:16:40,014 Speaker 2: gap there. The thing that was difficult to read was 309 00:16:40,054 --> 00:16:43,334 Speaker 2: to help develop the first devon national clinical guidelines. Why 310 00:16:43,374 --> 00:16:46,974 Speaker 2: do we not already have national clinical guidelines for perimenopause 311 00:16:47,014 --> 00:16:48,134 Speaker 2: and menopause in Australia. 312 00:16:48,414 --> 00:16:52,054 Speaker 1: Yes, well, I guess any woman who's going through perimenopause 313 00:16:52,214 --> 00:16:55,054 Speaker 1: or menopause, and for many of the older women across 314 00:16:55,094 --> 00:16:57,894 Speaker 1: Australia who've been through it, this has not been an 315 00:16:58,014 --> 00:17:01,774 Speaker 1: area of enough attention. I'm of a generation sort of 316 00:17:01,814 --> 00:17:04,654 Speaker 1: in my mid fifties where this wasn't talked about. When 317 00:17:04,654 --> 00:17:08,854 Speaker 1: you were younger, it was very secretive the menopause world, 318 00:17:09,054 --> 00:17:11,774 Speaker 1: and so the fact that we're blowing that open. People 319 00:17:11,814 --> 00:17:14,894 Speaker 1: are talking about it, they're recognizing it as a significant 320 00:17:14,894 --> 00:17:19,654 Speaker 1: period in a woman's life, which can have really significant 321 00:17:19,694 --> 00:17:22,894 Speaker 1: impacts on their health and their ability to work and 322 00:17:23,294 --> 00:17:27,654 Speaker 1: engage and participate. But getting those national guidelines is such 323 00:17:27,694 --> 00:17:30,614 Speaker 1: an important thing as well for a lot of the 324 00:17:30,694 --> 00:17:33,494 Speaker 1: doctors who might not be dealing with this issue in 325 00:17:33,494 --> 00:17:35,374 Speaker 1: their surgery every day of the week. 326 00:17:35,694 --> 00:17:39,614 Speaker 2: Let's talk about the over the counter potential for pharmacists 327 00:17:39,654 --> 00:17:43,494 Speaker 2: to treat things like uncomplicated utiys and to maybe get 328 00:17:43,614 --> 00:17:46,574 Speaker 2: some forms of contraceptives so the counter rather than needing 329 00:17:46,614 --> 00:17:49,334 Speaker 2: a prescription. There's always this to and fro back and 330 00:17:49,334 --> 00:17:51,894 Speaker 2: forth between pharmacists and doctors about whether they agree or 331 00:17:51,894 --> 00:17:54,534 Speaker 2: are happy with this, because there are some who say 332 00:17:54,694 --> 00:17:59,054 Speaker 2: you medically need more knowledge to give someone contraceptives, for example, 333 00:17:59,334 --> 00:18:02,174 Speaker 2: But when it comes to uncomplicated UTIs, I mean, as 334 00:18:02,174 --> 00:18:05,334 Speaker 2: someone who's experienced them myself, we know that sometimes you 335 00:18:05,374 --> 00:18:07,094 Speaker 2: can't get to your doctor quick enough because it comes 336 00:18:07,094 --> 00:18:10,134 Speaker 2: on fast and you need that antibiotic asap, otherwise you're 337 00:18:10,134 --> 00:18:12,934 Speaker 2: going to be in debilitating pain. So is the idea 338 00:18:13,054 --> 00:18:16,094 Speaker 2: here to kind of short circuit that and get women 339 00:18:16,214 --> 00:18:19,734 Speaker 2: treatment faster with UTIs, but with contraceptives, why should they 340 00:18:19,774 --> 00:18:21,094 Speaker 2: not be seeing their GP first. 341 00:18:22,054 --> 00:18:25,294 Speaker 1: I'm a strong believer in pharmacists working to their full 342 00:18:25,334 --> 00:18:28,654 Speaker 1: scope of practice. They're highly trained health professionals, and they 343 00:18:28,694 --> 00:18:31,734 Speaker 1: have the greatest contact day by day with people wandering 344 00:18:31,774 --> 00:18:34,454 Speaker 1: in and out of the chemist. They have for many 345 00:18:34,534 --> 00:18:37,934 Speaker 1: years provided access to the morning after pill from an 346 00:18:37,934 --> 00:18:40,254 Speaker 1: accessibility point of view, easy to get in if you 347 00:18:40,294 --> 00:18:43,014 Speaker 1: need to take that, in a relatively short time to 348 00:18:43,054 --> 00:18:45,934 Speaker 1: be able to get that, So they're already trained in 349 00:18:46,134 --> 00:18:49,534 Speaker 1: provision of that kind of reproductive health care. In relation 350 00:18:49,614 --> 00:18:52,814 Speaker 1: to UTIs, again, there's some state based trials that are 351 00:18:52,814 --> 00:18:56,054 Speaker 1: going on that are going very well. The pharmacists are 352 00:18:56,094 --> 00:18:59,854 Speaker 1: getting specifically trained to provide that level of care, and 353 00:18:59,934 --> 00:19:03,694 Speaker 1: this is expanding it to two national trials, particularly for 354 00:19:03,894 --> 00:19:07,254 Speaker 1: people who have a concession card who are finding it 355 00:19:07,294 --> 00:19:10,094 Speaker 1: difficult to find a doctor or get in a to 356 00:19:10,134 --> 00:19:13,614 Speaker 1: see a doctor. I know the pharmacists are really behind this, 357 00:19:13,774 --> 00:19:15,814 Speaker 1: and there'll always be a bit of to and fro 358 00:19:15,974 --> 00:19:19,894 Speaker 1: between what doctors think pharmacists should provide and the pharmacy 359 00:19:19,934 --> 00:19:22,134 Speaker 1: wanting to provide more services. But we just think it 360 00:19:22,174 --> 00:19:25,814 Speaker 1: makes incredible sense when we know women go to chemists. 361 00:19:25,814 --> 00:19:28,014 Speaker 1: They get a lot of advice from pharmacists. If the 362 00:19:28,054 --> 00:19:32,294 Speaker 1: pharmacist is trained. It's a great and very affordable way 363 00:19:32,374 --> 00:19:35,494 Speaker 1: to get quick access to healthcare. I think you'll see 364 00:19:35,494 --> 00:19:36,854 Speaker 1: more of this, not less of it. 365 00:19:38,854 --> 00:19:40,734 Speaker 3: Thanks for taking the time to feed your mind with 366 00:19:40,814 --> 00:19:43,734 Speaker 3: us today. The quickie is produced by me Taylor Strano, 367 00:19:43,814 --> 00:19:46,654 Speaker 3: and Claire Murphy, with audio production by Lou Hill.