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News Release
9 December 2011
GMiA response to TGA blueprint for reform
The Generic Medicines Industry Association (GMiA) welcomes yesterday’s release of, “A blueprint for TGA's future”, by the Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing, the Hon Catherine King MP. This report is the government’s response to several major reviews of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) that have occurred over the last eighteen months.
The CEO of GMiA, Kate Lynch, said, “The various reviews have benefited from strong stakeholder consultation and GMiA endorses the commitment by government expressed in the TGA blueprint to continue with stakeholder consultation during the implementation of the agreed recommendations.”
Members of GMiA strongly support the government’s initiatives:
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to improve public knowledge of regulatory decision-making;
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to enhance public understanding of the benefits and risks of therapeutic goods;
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to improve understanding within the Australian community of how the TGA operates and the reasons for its key decisions;
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to reduce unnecessary regulatory burden.
GMiA believes that activities pertaining to provision of public information by the TGA are an important public service and are appropriately funded by a Commonwealth appropriation.
GMiA is disappointed with the government’s decision to fund these important activities by increasing the TGA fees paid by industry.
“This is not only an abuse of the Australian Government Cost Recovery Guidelines, it also marginalises the importance of these activities and potentially constrains the TGA from properly delivering public information” said CEO, Kate Lynch.
The Generic Medicines Industry Association (GMiA) is the national association representing companies that manufacture, supply and export generic medicines. The generic medicines sector is a high value-add sector delivering significant benefits to the Australian public by way of affordable medicines and high skilled jobs.
Contact: Kate Lynch CEO 0432 500 308