ASMI welcomes Complementary Medicines Review
23 February 2015 - The Australian Self
Medication Industry (ASMI) today welcomed the Federal Government's
Review of complementary medicines.
ASMI Executive Director, Dr Deon Schoombie, said: "This is a great
opportunity to get the right regulatory settings for complementary
medicines, which are taken by 70% of Australians.
"ASMI urges the Federal Government to apply the COAG principle
of 'minimum effective regulation' to the regulation of low risk
medicines such as complementary medicines, while maintaining
appropriate safety standards for consumers.
"ASMI believes there are a range of areas that would benefit from
regulatory reform, including for example, policy relating to new
ingredients, Good Manufacturing Practice and advertising, amongst
others.
"The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) should accept low risk ingredients approved by comparable overseas regulators as part of streamlining new ingredient approvals and increasing access for consumers.
"ASMI supports the maintenance of Good Manufacturing Practice
principles but urges the TGA to provide clearer guidance materials
for lowest-risk products and align clearance frequency with
overseas agency audits.
"ASMI advocates for an improved system for pre approving
advertising and complaints handling.
"ASMI looks forward to providing a detailed submission covering a
range of regulatory reform proposals that will ensure the right
settings for Australia's complementary medicines regulatory
framework," he added.
-ENDS-
About ASMI: The Australian Self Medication Industry (ASMI) is the peak body representing sponsors of non-prescription medicines - over-the-counter (OTC) and complementary medicines (CM). ASMI members make up 85 per cent of the $4bn Non-Prescription Medicines market. Membership totals 50 companies and ASMI members employ approximately 18,000 people with exports estimated at $1.2 billion annually. ASMI's mission is to advance consumer health through responsible self-care. This means driving a viable and responsible industry and empowering the consumer with evidence-based products and information with the aim of improving health and wellbeing. To find out more about ASMI or how to become an ASMI member, please visit (www.asmi.com.au).
For more information or to arrange a media interview, please
contact:
Marie Kelly-Davies
Communications Manager, Australian Self Medication Industry
(ASMI)
M:0408 256 381 E: marie@asmi.com.au