CMs Regulation Review

Complementary Medicines Australia has hailed the publication of a “Deregulation Discussion” document as a “defining moment for the complementary medicines industry”. Flagged in the announcement of the panel last year, which is headed by Emeritus Professor Lloyd Sansom, the addendum to the review discussion paper puts several questions to stakeholders, including whether CMs should be regulated under a separate legislative framework, and whether the current regime was commensurate with the risk posed by such medicines. 

The document said stakeholders had argued that the “one-size-fitsall” approach failed to recognise the differences between CMs and pharmaceutical medicines.  The paper asks whether low risk CMs should be regulated as general  onsumer goods, removing Australian Register for Therapeutic Goods listing requirements, and whether Australia should continue to require pre-pproval of CMs advertised direct to consumers, or move towards self-regulation.

Complementary Medicines Australia ceo Carl Gibson said this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to frame an appropriate regulatory system for Australia that is “light touch-right touch”. Submissions are due by 08 Apr.

Click here to read the addendum.

Source: pharmacydaily.com.au, Monday 23 February 2015