Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing, upon notice, on 13 July 2011:

In regard to the ‘Naltrexone implant treatment for opioid dependence–Literature Review’ on the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) website:

(1) Apart from the reference group, can the writers and advisers of this report be named.

(2) Who were the independent peer reviewers who were consulted before the report was published, and what was the review process.

(3) Is there an opportunity for other professionals in the field to critique and review this document:

(a) if so, what is the process and could professionals (international or Australian) in the current naltrexone medicine field be asked to review the document; and

(b) if not, why not.

(4) Why is there a gap between the end of the literature review period in July 2009 and the publication of this report in March 2011 and why has there not been an inclusion or review of any publications within this time period.

(5) Will this review prevent current implant treatment in Australia under the special access scheme.

(6) Given the current practice of treating patients under the special access scheme, managed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, is the NHMRC operating outside its jurisdiction by making recommendations counter to current practice and approval by the TGA.