New Joint ANZ Therapeutic Products Authority

Steps towards the establishment of a new joint agency called the Australia New Zeaand Therapeutic Products Authority (ANZTPA) have been announced by the Australian Department of Health and Ageing.

ANZTPA will be a joint, trans-Tasman agency with responsibility for regulating therapeutic products across both countries. When established, it will replace Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority (Medsafe).

The transitional director of the Joint Agency Establishment Group for the ANZTPA, Philip Davies, said that consulting widely with industry, consumers and other interested parties was a key priority of both governments in the development of the new Authority.

"Industry needs to have every opportunity to review and comment on the details of the new regulatory system and time to put in place appropriate transitional arrangements, including staff training," Mr Davies said.

"Equally, consumers and their health practitioners in both countries need to feel assured that any new regulatory system will continue to protect their health and well being and we expect that consumer groups will welcome the opportunity to attend the proposed consultation sessions to gain information and to make comment."

More information about the proposed Australia New Zealand Therapeutic Products Authority (ANZTPA) and the consultation schedule can be found on www.anztpa.org