The Council of Australian Therapeutic Advisory Groups (CATAG) has just published a Position Statement on the formulary listing of desflurane.
Download a copy of the CATAG Position Statement on the formulary listing of desflurane.
Overview
The Position Statement reviews the quality of evidence around the safety, efficacy, cost-effectiveness, therapeutic necessity, and environmental impact of desflurane. This evidence review has been conducted by CATAG, with the assistance of an Expert Advisory Group (EAG).
Their consensus statement aims to facilitate and support the translation of best available evidence into practice to assist good governance and decision-making for the use of desflurane by Australian health service organisations, Medicines and Therapeutics Committees (MTCs), and health professionals in their evaluation, approval and use of this medicine.
What is the position of the ASA?
The ASA has been actively engaged in the discussion surrounding desflurane via participation on the Expert Advisory Group (EAG) established in mid-2024 to review the use of desflurane in Australia.
The ASA has supported the release of the CATAG Position Statement.
To help explain this decision to members, the ASA Board has published an ASA Statement on Desflurane. Some of the key points from this statement are set out below:
- The ASA was successful in having changes made to the CATAG document.
- The ASA has maintained a consistent position of advocating for a reduction in the desflurane use rather than complete removal.
- We have advocated for an ability to retain access to desflurane when treating clinicians believe it is the most appropriate drug.
- We have advocated for the vital need to include appropriate planning and broader consideration of flow on effects, including but not limited to equipment requirements, and appropriate lead times.
- We have strongly advocated that consultation with clinicians including at a local level is integral.
- We were also able to highlight with evidence via our NSW member survey the detrimental effect when planning & communication is perceived to be inadequate by anaesthetists.
- We remain committed to supporting sustainability efforts and finding pathways to future proof our health care system.
- Desflurane remains only one of a number of sustainability initiatives being pursued.
Read the full ASA Statement on Desflurane
Watch the ASA video
Join ASA Board members, Dr Michelle Horne and Dr Peta Lorraway, as they discuss how the ASA contributed to the development of the CATAG Position Statement and how the ASA encouraged collaboration and planning with clinicians to reduce the use of desflurane.
Click below to watch the ASA video
About CATAG
Established in 2005, CATAG is the peak national advisory body, a collaborative of all nine Australian state and territory therapeutic or medicines advisory groups.
For more information about CATAG download this Infographic or visit the CATAG website.