Australian legislation Authority

The consumer movement, particularly the Consumers Health Fomm, also has considerable political influence. As a result of political pressure exerted by HIV/AIDS pressure groups and industry, the DRA was reviewed, new legislation introduced and new committees established to ensure that the regulatory authority responded more efficiently to public and political needs. Professional associations, especially the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, have traditionally played an active role in decisions related to pharmaceutical regulation. The Australian Pharmaceutical Advisory Council was established by the Australian Government to advise the Commonwealth Minister for Health on pharmaceutical policy. 

Legislation to establish the NRA received Royal Assent on 24 December 1992 and came into effect on 15 June 1993. On 30 July 2004, the name of the Authority was changed to The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). 

PAs cause veno-occlusive disease of the liver after significant consumption and are associated with other ill effects. Comprehensive knowledge of the occurrence of PAs in food and feed is required for the calculation of exposure affecting animals and humans, and to support legislation formulate advice to consumers. Current research into improving or replacing older analytical methods has been prompted by advice to consumers from Australian and New Zealand authorities related to contaminated honey, and by requests from the European Commission via the European Eood Safety Authority (EESA). 

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