Australia’s pharmacy-led vaping reforms are continuing to gain momentum, with newly released figures showing a significant increase in the supply of therapeutic vaping products through pharmacies.
According to data released by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) under Freedom of Information provisions, nearly 136,000 therapeutic vapes have been supplied to Australian patients since pharmacy-only reforms were introduced in late 2024.
The figures suggest that more pharmacists are becoming involved in supplying regulated vaping products as part of smoking cessation and nicotine dependence treatment programs.
A Growing Trend
The first quarter of 2026 alone accounted for more than 34,000 therapeutic vape supplies, representing almost one-quarter of all therapeutic vape notifications recorded since the reforms began.
This growth comes despite initial hesitation from many pharmacy owners and operators when the reforms were first introduced.
Addiction and harm minimisation pharmacist Angelo Pricolo believes the trend is likely to continue.
“I think we will continue to see an increase in therapeutic vapes as confidence grows in the product safety, but most of all the efficacy.”
The data reflects notifications submitted under the TGA’s Special Access Scheme Category C (SAS C), which allows pharmacists to supply eligible therapeutic vaping products under Australia’s regulated framework.
Therapeutic Vape Supply in 2026
| Month | SAS C S3 Notifications | Unique Consulting Locations |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | 10,708 | 784 |
| February 2026 | 10,310 | 753 |
| March 2026 | 13,111 | 827 |
| Total Q1 2026 | 34,129 | 1,145 |
Source: Therapeutic Goods Administration
March 2026 marked the first time the number of unique consulting locations exceeded 800 in a single month, highlighting growing pharmacy participation across Australia.
Supply Growth Since Reforms Began
The following table shows how pharmacy supply has grown since the introduction of pharmacy-only therapeutic vape reforms.
| Period | Notifications |
|---|---|
| October 2024 | 4,431 |
| November 2024 | 4,877 |
| December 2024 | 5,447 |
| January 2025 | 6,382 |
| February 2025 | 6,348 |
| March 2025 | 6,897 |
| April 2025 | 7,143 |
| May 2025 | 7,952 |
| June 2025 | 7,252 |
| July 2025 | 7,350 |
| August 2025 | 7,302 |
| September 2025 | 7,299 |
| October 2025 | 6,469 |
| November 2025 | 6,313 |
| December 2025 | 10,083 |
| Total (Oct 2024 – Dec 2025) | 101,545 |
The data indicates a steady rise in pharmacist engagement and patient demand throughout the reform period.
What This Means for Smokers
For adult smokers seeking alternatives to cigarettes, the growing availability of therapeutic vaping products through pharmacies provides a regulated pathway to access nicotine vaping products under Australian law.
Unlike products sold through illicit channels, therapeutic vaping products supplied through pharmacies must comply with Australian therapeutic standards and regulations.
The increase in pharmacy participation may also help improve access to professional advice and support for smokers looking to transition away from combustible tobacco products.
The Bigger Picture
The latest figures arrive as Australian authorities continue to crack down on illegal vape retailers while expanding access to regulated therapeutic products through pharmacies.
Although debates around vaping policy continue, the TGA figures suggest that therapeutic vaping products are becoming a more established part of Australia’s smoking cessation landscape.
As more pharmacists gain experience with therapeutic vape supply and more patients seek regulated alternatives to smoking, industry experts expect growth to continue throughout 2026 and beyond.
Source & Author
Kate Cowling
Australian Journal of Pharmacy (AJP)
Article: Pharmacy Supply of Vapes Accelerates
Published: 30 April 2026
Data sourced from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Freedom of Information disclosures.
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