August 2024
News
In this issue
| International Harmonisation of Ingredient Names (IHIN) |
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| See us in Sydney and Perth this August |
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| Introducing direct debit by Ezidebit in Fred Office Plus |
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| This Month's PBS Changes |
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International Harmonisation of Ingredient Names (IHIN)
In 2017, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) updated over 200 active ingredient names in Australia to align with international standards, a program known as the International Harmonisation of Ingredient Names (IHIN). This introduced some new ingredient names to Australia through dual labelling, which requires both old and new names to be displayed on medicine labels.
Upcoming Changes in Fred Dispense
Dual labelling will be switched off in Fred Dispense in the October update for all ingredients except those specified for ongoing dual labelling. This change means that Fred Dispense will transition to displaying only the new names. However, certain ingredients will continue with dual labelling indefinitely to maintain both the old and new names.
Dual Labelling Transition Period
Dual labelling for most ingredient names ended on 30 April 2023, transitioning to displaying only the new names on labels. After this date, labels can either show the new name only or continue with both names while updates are made. Medicine sponsors have until 30 April 2026 to complete these updates. For example, medicines labelled as ‘lidocaine (lignocaine)’ will need to be updated to show ‘lidocaine’ only.
The transition period for most dual-labelled ingredients started on 1 May 2023 and ends on 30 April 2026, after which all medicines must show the sole name. Ingredient names that are changing to show new names only are found in TGA’s list of affected ingredient names marked as ‘Dual labelling - until 30 April 2023’ .
Some ingredients will have an extended dual labelling period until 2025 to give health professionals more time to adapt. Until 30 April 2025, labels must show both names for:
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dosulepin (dothiepin) hydrochloride
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hydroxycarbamide (hydroxyurea)
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tetracaine (amethocaine)
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tetracaine (amethocaine) hydrochloride
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trihexyphenidyl (benzhexol) hydrochloride
The transition period for these starts on 1 May 2025 and ends on 30 April 2028, after which only new names will be shown.
Other ingredients will retain dual labelling indefinitely, including:
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alimemazine (trimeprazine) tartrate
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mercaptamine (cysteamine)
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mercaptamine (cysteamine) bitartrate
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mercaptamine (cysteamine) hydrochloride
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Mycobacterium bovis (Bacillus Calmette and Guerin (BCG) strain).
See us in Sydney and Perth this August
PSA2024 2-4 Aug
Uncover the myriad of ways that automation and digitisation can help you achieve your outcomes more efficiently in this Fred sponsored session.
Keep it flowing with technology
Marta Stybowski, Director of Fusion Health Space Pty Ltd
Saturday 3 August 2024, 2:00 – 2:40 PM
Pharmacy WA Forum 8-9 Aug
Learn how pharmacies are using various solutions together to create an amazing customer experience.
AI to serve customers better?
Paul Naismith, CEO, Fred IT Group
Friday 9 August 2024, 10.45 AM Technology Breakout Session
Introducing direct debit by Ezidebit in Fred Office Plus
We know account payments are a painful, manual process for so many of you - which is why we’re so pleased to announce a new partnership with Ezidebit for streamlined payments in Fred Office Plus. Save time, reduce paperwork, and enjoy secure, hassle-free transactions with direct debit by Ezidebit.
Find out more at Fred Marketplace .
This Month's PBS Changes
For the full Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits, go to the PBS website at http://www.pbs.gov.au/ where you can search the schedule by drug name.
For your convenience, we've also uploaded a printable summary of this month's important PBS changes to this site.
For Highly Specialised Drugs (HSD) items (CAR and non-CAR), please refer to the Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits as well as Services Australia to confirm whether the PBS item code for a HSD is eligible to be dispensed and claimed by your pharmacy type.