Therapeutics Agency Delay Provides Opportunity for Improvements AMA
Chair of the AMA's Therapeutics Committee, Dr Robyn Napier, said today that the delayed start-up of the new Trans Tasman Therapeutic Products Agency would allow the Government to make some important adjustments before the Agency commences its long-awaited role.
Dr Napier said the Government must ensure the Agency's priority is protecting public health.
"There must be specialised medical profession representation in setting the terms of reference and goals of the Trans Tasman Therapeutic Products Agency," Dr Napier said.
"The medical input must extend to the councils and committees of the new agency to keep the focus on public health.
"Guaranteeing the quality, safety, and efficacy of medicines at high standards must be core business for the Agency.
"We must learn from the Pan Pharmaceuticals recall in 2003 and make sure nothing like it happens again.
"Australia must also work closely with the New Zealand Government to provide public funding for at least the public policy aspects of the Agency's work to maintain its independence from industry."
Dr Napier said the delay gives the Government the perfect opportunity to restructure the National Drugs and Poisons and Schedule Committee (NDPSC) ahead of the new Agency's implementation.
"The AMA will continue to lobby the Health Minister, Tony Abbott, to restructure the NDPSC, and to appoint representatives from the medical profession to the Committee as a matter of urgency," Dr Napier said.
AMA President, Dr Bill Glasson, wrote to the Health Minister as far back as October 2003 seeking restructure of the NDPSC following release of the Galbally Report, which cited concerns about the transparency of the Committee's deliberations and called for simpler processes and a stronger medical presence.