History of Medicines Australia

Pharmaceutical manufacturing has held a significant place in Australian history.

In 1932 the Drug & Perfumery Manufacturers Association (DPMA) was formed.  One of the first activities negotiated was for uniform poison legislation.

The DPMA became a division of the Chamber of Manufactures in NSW in 1942.  Manufacturers of cosmetics and perfumery split from the main body and formed a separate organisation.  The DPMAs name was changed to the Drug and Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association.

The Association continued to represent manufacturers of both ethical (prescription) and proprietary (over-the-counter) medicines until 1949 when the Association of Ethical Manufacturers (AEM) was formed, leaving manufacturers of propriety medicines as a separate organisation.  Then in 1965 the AEM became the Australian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (APMA).

The Australian Health Information Research Services (AHIRS), an organisation of research-based pharmaceutical manufacturers, joined the APMA in 1969.  The re-organised association had two membership categories: Ordinary and Associate.

In 1987 membership of the APMA was reconstructed to:
• Class One –research based companies
• Class Two –non-researched based companies
• Class Three –companies significantly engaged in research into potential pharmaceutical products but which have not yet commenced commercial production

One year later an additional membership category known as Class 4 Membership - Affiliate Membership.  This category is for organisations ineligible for other classes of membership, which are significantly engaged in the development, testing or registration of prescription pharmaceutical products.

In the year 2000, it was decided to relocate the national headquarters of the APMA to Canberra.  In December 2001 the move took place to 16 Napier Close in Deakin.

At an Extraordinary meeting in April 2002 the membership decided to change the name of the APMA to Medicines Australia.  This took place on 1 July 2002.

On 25 September 2002, the Medicines Australia National office was opened by Senator Nick Minchin, Minister for Finance.  Following the opening, was the unveiling of the Pat Clear Boardroom dedicated to Pat Clear for his 40 year contribution to the pharmaceutical industry.  Pat passed away in May 2002, aged 67.

An Inaugural Pat Clear Award was also developed by the Medicines Australia board in memory of Pat.  The first Inaugural Pat Clear Award was presented at the 2002 Medicines Australia Annual Dinner to the Pharmaceutical Industry Action Agenda Team.