Abstract
Australians who cannot access medicines locally are able to find most medicines for sale online. Australia's therapeutic goods legal regime permits individuals to purchase medicines directly from overseas suppliers via the Personal Importation Scheme. Individuals can either import medicines for their own use or that of an immediate family member. For some patients, importing medicines is the only way they can access the medicines they need due to lack of availability or affordability in Australia. This article analyses the therapeutic goods law to clarify offences that may apply to those who import medicines for their own use or that of an immediate family member. Considering the findings, legislative amendments are recommended for the purpose of protecting patients who import medicines for legitimate health care needs.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 829-846 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | Journal of Law and Medicine |
| Volume | 29 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Aug 2022 |
Keywords
- access
- biologicals
- financial stress
- health policy
- internet
- patient safety
- personal importation
- pharmaceuticals