Media release

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Evidence-based health and medical organisations and individuals support Therapeutic Goods Administration; condemn threats to TGA staff

More than 25 members of Australia and New Zealand’s leading evidence-based health and medical organisations, and over 60 individuals, have united to stand beside Australia’s key medicines regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

They want the TGA and its staff to know they fully support their vital work in helping guide Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and condemn any attempts to undermine the Administration’s work, or intimidate and threaten its staff.

We agree that Australians can have confidence in the assessments and recommendations of the TGA, and its ongoing role in improving the health of all Australians.

Statement of support of TGA

Australia and New Zealand’s leading evidence-based health and medical organisations stand beside Australia’s key medicines regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

We express full support for the vital work the TGA does to assess and regulate new medicines and vaccines. The TGA has a strong reputation for being expert, independent and rigorous in its assessments of new products, and is similarly rigorous in its assessment of the safety of vaccines, so as to improve and protect the health of all Australians.

Another essential role of our medicines regulator is to challenge, and where necessary, prosecute those who seek to mislead the Australian public about important health information so as to pursue their own interests. This role is particularly important in the current global health crisis.

Now is a time when Australians must have confidence in the assessments and recommendations of the TGA, and we believe Australians’ trust in the TGA is well placed.

The TGA must continue to be an independent, diligent, evidence driven and responsible medicines regulator focused on serving the health interest of Australians. Individuals and/or organisations with vested interests must not be allowed to undermine or derail their vitally important work. 

Recent report of threats, intimidation and harassment aimed at TGA leadership and staff are a reason for serious concern and is an unacceptable development.