AHHA supports the Scheduling Policy Framework as the mechanism for setting out the national policy for applying access restrictions on all ‘poisons’, with poisons scheduled according to the risk of harm and the level of access control required to protect consumers.
AHHA supports a nationally unified, but regionally-flexible approach, in imposing legislative controls in the supply of poisons. Support for this approach recognises the differences faced in different jurisdictions that impact on providing safe and effective health care and achieving quality and equitable health outcomes. Jurisdictional differences include differences in individual and population health needs, public health issues, and health workforce availability and distribution.
AHHA recognises that scheduling decisions can improve self-management and the use of public health resources, provided risks such as inappropriate use and delayed diagnosis of serious conditions can be minimised.
