Legislation will improve access to medicines and cut red-tape

Legislation introduced to Parliament on final sitting day of 2016 will enable faster access to certain new medicines for Australian patients and help to cut unnecessary red tape for industry too.

The Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2016 Measures No. 1) Bill 2016 was introduced by Health Minister, Hon Sussan Ley MP is the first legislative step toward the full implementation of the Medicines and Medical Devices Review.

Medicines Australia Chief Executive Milton Catelin said the Bill supports the implementation of new regulation-making powers that will create two new pathways that will help speed up approval of medicines.

“For a number of years, Medicines Australia and member companies have worked with the Australian Government to identify improvements in our registration approval processes, and related matters. The Bill addresses these concerns head-on.  The changes to approval, registration and listing times mean that Australian patients will get faster access to safe medicines. Our world-leading regulatory system will only be enhanced as a result of this Bill,” he said.

“The measures have widespread cross-political support and we expect it to pass without delay in 2017 as this is in the best interests of the Australian people. We will continue to work with the Therapeutic Goods Administration to ensure we all get the detailed regulations right”.

Medicines Australia thanks Health Minister Sussan Ley and the TGA for their open and extensive consultation process to date, and the ongoing work on changes to the regulation of therapeutic goods.

Contact:

James Boyce
Phone: 0423 239 265
Email: James.Boyce@medicinesaustralia.com.au