Blood regulation to be included in new Australia/New Zealand therapeutic products agency
Therapeutic Products Interim Ministerial Council
Meeting outcomes statement
10 May 2004
Agreement has been reached between Australia and New Zealand to include the regulation of blood in the new joint therapeutic products agency which will replace Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and New Zealand's Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority (Medsafe).
At the third meeting of the Therapeutic Products Interim Ministerial Council held in Canberra on 22 April 2004 between the New Zealand Minister of Health, Annette King and the Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Trish Worth, both governments agreed there would be significant benefits to be gained by a joint regulator of blood, blood components and blood products, for example potential safety problems can be more effectively monitored, detected and addressed and safety enhancements can be developed and implemented more readily.
Ms King and Ms Worth also agreed to the creation of a joint agency establishment group to manage the Australian and New Zealand staff responsible for setting up the joint agency.
This group will bring together the work of the two project teams - one in Australia and the other in New Zealand - achieving a more streamlined joint working arrangement to ensure that work proceeds in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.
Leading up to the commencement date for the joint scheme next year, a management committee has been established comprising Dr Don Matheson, Deputy Director General (Public Health) of the Ministry of Health in New Zealand and Terry Slater, National Manager of the TGA. It will be responsible for overseeing the work of the establishment group and in providing advice to the Ministerial Council.
Ms King and Ms Worth also agreed to the appointment of Selwyn Katene as the Secretary of the Therapeutic Products Interim Ministerial Council. With a background in private and public sector senior health management in New Zealand, Mr Katene will work closely with the two governments to ensure the smooth operation of the Council.
Media contact:
John Harvey, Ms King's Office, +64 4 470 6851
Mark Williams, Ms Worth's Office 0401 147 558
Kay McNiece, Media Liaison, Ministerial Council , 0412 132 585