The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has today pointed to research which highlights why Australia needs a new approach to women's healthcare, including the prescribing of drugs.
A new study from the Australian National University (ANU) has found that women are 75% more likely to experience adverse reactions to prescription drugs compared to men due a range of differences in traits between the sexes. The study, which analysed over two million data points, found that the adverse rection rate cannot simply be attributed to the difference in body sizes. Instead, other factors including iron levels and body temperature, stored fat and heart rate variability all play a role.
It comes following the RACGP late last week welcoming the Albanese Government establishing a National Women's Health Advisory Council to address health inequalities for women and girls in Australia. The Council, to be chaired by Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney, will provide advice to improve the nation's health system for women and girls, including healthcare offered in relation to menstruation, reproductive options, menopause, medical consent, and pain management.
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins said that researchers and policy makers should play close attention to the ANU study.
"The study's lead author Dr Laura Wilson points out that most biomedical research has been conducted on male cells or male animals and yet it has often just been assumed that the same results will apply to females," she said.
"Men and women are different and experience diseases differently so we can't just study male anatomy and hope that everything will be equal for women. Instead, we need to ensure that a more balanced and inclusive approach is adopted.
"The timing of this study is opportune because the Albanese Government has just established a National Women's Health Advisory Council, of which I will act as special adviser. In this role, I will draw attention to research such as this ANU study and make sure that women's healthcare is front of mind for researchers and politicians. As Dr Wilson warns, women are not just smaller versions of men, and we can't forget that.
"As a nation, we must address inequalities in healthcare and that includes the treatment and care of women and girls and the research that underlies that care. I look forward to driving change in women's healthcare in Australia and ensuring that action is taken to improve health outcomes for all women."
