THE Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee has completed its review of two key Bills relating to the Therapeutic Goods Administration, and urged that they be passed into legislation.
The Senate referred the Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2017 Measures no. 1) Bill 2017 and the Therapeutic Goods (Charges) Amendment Bill 2017 to the committee in late Nov, with the final report delivered on Fri.
Key provision of the bills support the implementation of recommendations from the Expert Panel Review of Medicines and Medical Devices Regulation (the MMDR Review) - including significant changes to the advertising regulation of therapeutic goods.
There's also a new assessment pathway, allowing sponsors to provide self-assessment and certification of the safety and quality of products.
As well as recommending that the bills be passed, the committee suggested that the government ensure the TGA continues to carry out "comprehensive, appropriate and timely consultations with industry and key stakeholders".
The TGA was also urged to investigate ways to better support the functioning of self-regulatory models by industry, "including the potential for further strengthening of the penalties regime if needed".
Adequate resources for the TGA were also recommended by the committee, so the organisation "is able to carry out its surveillance and monitoring functions in relation to advertising compliance".
The outcome of the inquiry was welcomed by Complementary Medicines Australia, with ceo Carl Gibson saying he hopes all stakeholders will respect the recommendations and support the legislation's passage.
"There is much good in the bill.
"If you really support increased research in complementary medicines then you should get behind the bill and support it, because the new Registration Pathway will drive the evidence base for our sector," he said.
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