E-DRUG: New Advisory Structure for Australian Medicines Policy
--------------------------------------------------
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr09-nr-nr012.htm
6 February 2009
The Australian Government announced today arrangements for the new
advisory structure to support Australia's National Medicines Policy.
The new arrangements better reflect the current medicines policy
environment, and will make an important contribution to better health
for Australians.
Since 1999, the National Medicines Policy has provided a framework for
medication access, safety and quality in Australia.
The new structure better allows National Medicines Policy partners,
including individual experts, related organisations and committees,
Government representatives and stakeholder groups to provide input into
the principles, policy and practice of the policy.
The new three-tiered structure comprises:
* a National Medicines Policy Executive
* a National Medicines Policy Committee
* an annual National Medicines Policy Partnerships Forum.
Professor Andrew McLachlan, Professor of Pharmacy (Aged Care) at the
University of Sydney, will chair the National Medicines Policy
Committee. Professor McLachlan will also provide expertise in the area
of pharmacy.
Other committee members and their fields of expertise are:
* Dr Jim Buttery - clinical practice
* Professor Patricia Dunning - nursing
* Dr Linda Swan - medicines manufacture and marketing
* Professor Alan Bensoussan - complementary medicines
* Dr Ross Maxwell - prescribing
* Professor Paul Rolan - pharmacology
* Professor Sally Green - epidemiology
* Ms Diane Walsh - consumer matters.
The National Medicines Policy Committee will provide advice on emerging
medicines policy issues. It will also undertake, oversee or consider
projects and research as requested by the executive.
The National Medicines Policy Executive will advise the Government on
implementing the National Medicines Policy within the health portfolio.
The members of the executive are:
* Mr David Learmonth, Deputy Secretary, Department of Health and Ageing (chair)
* Dr Janette Randall, chair of the National Prescribing Service
* Professor Lloyd Sansom, chair of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee
* Dr Rohan Hammett, national manager for the Therapeutics Goods Administration
* Mr Craig Pennifold, head of the Innovation Division, Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
* Professor Andrew McLachlan, chair of the National Medicines Policy Committee.
The new advisory structure will commence with a meeting of the
executive, expected to be held in early March. A meeting of the National
Medicines Policy Partnerships Forum will follow, providing an
opportunity for stakeholders to exchange information on the policy and
to discuss its implementation, partnerships, challenges and
opportunities.
Planning for the first Partnerships Forum will be an early priority for
the committee and the executive.
Further information on the National Medicines Policy and the new
advisory structure is available on the department's web site at:
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/National
+Medicines+Policy-1
Ken Harvey
k.harvey@medreach.com.au