Media Release
9 June 2006
Consultation Continues on Proposed Joint Regulatory Scheme for Therapeutic Products
A series of stakeholder meetings on the proposal to establish a joint trans Tasman regulatory scheme for medicines and
medical devices have been attended by around five hundred people in Christchurch and Auckland.
The Ministry of Health's Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority, Medsafe, and Australia's Therapeutic Goods
Administration are working together on the proposal to establish a combined regulatory scheme under the Australia New
Zealand Therapeutic Products Authority.
Medsafe manager, David Nicholson, says consultation and feedback from industry, other stakeholders and consumers is key
to the development of the proposal.
"On 23 May a number of consultation documents on the proposed joint regulatory scheme, including the draft Rules for
medicines and medical devices, were released for public consultation. Following this, six meetings for industry and
other key stakeholders have been held in Christchurch and Auckland this week and have been well attended."
"The meetings provided an opportunity for people to hear more about the proposals as well as some of the technical
details covered in the consultation documents. This includes technical information on the proposed joint regulatory
scheme for prescription and non-prescription medicines, complementary medicines and medical devices,"Mr Nicholson says.
The aim of the Authority is to protect the health and safety of both New Zealanders and Australians through the proposed
joint regulation of prescription and non-prescription medicines, complementary medicines, medical devices, blood and
blood products, tissue and cellular therapies.
The proposal would move New Zealand in line with international best practice and would pave the way for easier access to
international export markets.
There is still plenty of time for people to have their say with submissions on the consultation documents set to close
on 15 August 2006.
Additional stakeholder meetings will be held in centres in Australia next week.
Further information about the Australia New Zealand therapeutic Products Authority (ANZTPA), including copies of the
consultation documents, are available on the ANZTPA website: www.anztpa.org
ENDS