Australia complementary medicines

Some regulatory authorities have foreseen the future impact of TM and set up appropriate guidelines. The European Union has legislation for traditional herbal products. Another example is the Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia, which has set up a complementary medicine section that controls the regulatory practices for TM. 

In April/May 2003 the TGA forced the recall of approximately 1600 complementary medicines at retail level throughout Australia, due to concerns about the quality of their manufacture. The recalled products were manufactured in Australia by Pan Pharmaceuticals, principally as a contract manufacturer for other companies. The resultant publicity impacted around the world and highlighted the importance of effective implementation of GMP standards for all therapeutic products. In view of the issues raised by this massive recall, and to restore community confidence, an Expert Committee on Complementary Medicines in the Health System was established to consider a wide range of matters relating to complementary medicines. Their report was published in September 2003 and is available from the TGA website. 

Australia s Therapeutic Goods Administration initiated a voluntary recall of all complementary medicines containing kava after the death of a woman who used a medicine containing kava (13). Sponsors and retailers were asked to remove all products containing kava from the market immediately. Consumers were advised to discard kava-containing products in their possession. 

A. Kellehear. 2003. Complementary medicine is it more acceptable in palliative care practice Medical Journal of Australia 179(6 suppl) S46-S48. 

Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney and Centre for Complementary Medicine Research, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC NSW 2751, Australia. E-mail kelvin.chan sydney.edu.au. 

K. Chan Faculty of Pharmacy The University of Sydney and The National Institute of Complementary Medicine, University of Western Sydney NSW, Australia... 

K. Chan Australia Regulating complementary and alternative medicines... 

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