Small News/Politics Graphic Australian government releases major statement on drug regulation
From:
Senator The Hon. Christopher Ellison
Parliamentary Secretary
to the Minister for Health and Family Services

The Government today announced major changes to the regulation of Australian medicinal products which include:

Senator Chris Ellison, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Family Services, today released the Government's response to a review of the Therapeutic Goods Administration saying a more efficient and streamlined approach to the regulation of medicinal products was needed.

"The challenge, of protecting public health, but doing so through the most effective and efficient regulation possible, was the crux of the review, which the Government called for last year", he said.

"57% of the Australian population currently use complementary medicines which include herbals, vitamins, minerals and nutritional therapies."

"It is important that consumers have the same confidence in these products as they have in pharmaceutical medicines" Senator Ellison said.

"New standards for herbal products, an expert complementary medicines evaluation committee and a complete review of grandfathered products will build the confidence".

Senator Ellison said the introduction of a new orphan drugs program would facilitate timely access to products needed to treat serious conditions where existing therapies are not available or are inadequate.

"The new program will draw upon the well developed United States experience, and will allow waving of up to 100% of the TGA evaluation fee."

"There is a need for complementary health practitioners to work with State and Territory Governments on the issue of training."

"The objective would be to provide recognised standards of training and competencies in diagnosing an illness and prescribing suitable treatment. This will be a first step toward continued assurance that the practitioners who prescribe complementary medicines are adequately and appropriately qualified" Senator Ellison said.

Senator Ellison said the Federal Government has ensured that patients can have confidence that their medicines will work in the way they are intended to.

"As serious illnesses must usually be treated with the advice of a health professional, patients must also be confident of the training standards of the prescribing health practitioner."

"This confirms the need for complementary health practitioners to work with State and Territory Governments on accreditation" Senator Ellison said.


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