AMA welcomes expert committee on complementary medicines
AMA President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, today welcomed the establishment of an expert committee to look into the role of complementary medicines in the health system following the Pan Pharmaceuticals debacle.
Dr Phelps said the committee must work to restore consumer faith in evidence-based complementary medicines and suggest quality safeguards to prevent another Pan-style recall.
"Complementary medicines and therapies that have been shown to work should not be dragged down by the Pan scandal," Dr Phelps said.
"The AMA recognises that complementary medicines are now an important component of integrated, quality health care.
"But quality, safety, and efficacy are as essential with complementary medicines as they are with over-the-counter and prescribed pharmaceuticals.
"The success of the committee will depend largely on the terms of reference and the composition of the committee.
"It may be worthwhile also for the committee to examine the role of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in this matter," Dr Phelps said.
The AMA will be contacting the Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Trish Worth, offering its services to assist the committee in its important work.
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Judith Tokley (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306