Government encourages moves to establish a joint therapeutic goods agency for Australia and New Zealand
Senator Tambling
Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister for Health and Aged Care
5 July 2001
The Federal Government has agreed in principle to establish a joint regulator for therapeutic goods in Australia and New Zealand, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Senator Grant Tambling, announced today.
"This is an unprecedented move and heralds an exciting new level of cooperation between Australia and New Zealand," Senator Tambling said.
"It is a genuine opportunity to integrate regulatory arrangements between the two countries and sets a positive example, both within the region and internationally."
Senator Tambling said some issues still needed to be resolved, but the Australian and New Zealand governments had agreed in principle to explore ways to bring the regulation of medicines and medical devices in both countries under the umbrella of a single agency.
This regulation was currently the responsibility of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia and Medsafe in New Zealand.
"A joint agency will allow the two countries to pool technical resources and strengthen their influence and international standing in this highly technical field," Senator Tambling said.
"Consumers and industry will both benefit through more consistent access to therapeutic goods.
"Australia's high standards for safety, quality and efficacy of high risk therapeutic goods will be maintained and the good work and international reputation of the TGA and Medsafe will provide a firm basis for the establishment of a joint agency with New Zealand."
Senator Tambling said work on a trans-Tasman regulator built on gains from other significant Government activities, including developments in global harmonisation of regulatory arrangements for medical devices and good manufacturing practice and closer cooperation with the European Union, as well as within the region.
Benefits from this proposal include more consistent regulation between the two countries; reduction of duplication, leading to more timely evaluation and availability of products; administrative efficiency; and the pooling of expertise between the two countries.
"This provides a strong foundation for Australia and New Zealand to become a centre of excellence for therapeutic goods regulation in the Asia-Pacific region," Senator Tambling said.
Australian officials will be working closely with New Zealand officials and key stakeholders, including peak consumer and industry bodies, to refine the plan before moving ahead. It is envisaged that the new trans-Tasman regulator will begin operating in 2003.
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