Greens oppose Aussie regulating New Zealand
<p>The Government’s plan for a trans-Tasman agency to regulate pharmaceuticals and medical devices would undermine New Zealand’s sovereignty, said the Green Party today.<br />
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Green MP Sue Kedgley said the Green Party did not support having an Australian-based agency dictating what happens in New Zealand.<br />
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“The new agency will be based in Canberra, staffed by Australians and dominated by Australia. New Zealand will have very little influence.”<br />
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Prime Ministers John Key and Julia Gillard today announced plans for the trans-Tasman agency.<br />
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The Australia New Zealand Therapeutic Products Agency will regulate medicines, medical devices and new medical interventions such as cellular therapy.<br />
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Ms Kedgley said it was important to ensure medicines and medical devices were safe, but New Zealand would be better to develop its own regulatory mechanisms.<br />
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“Australia’s regulatory system is heavy-handed and costly, and would likely impose considerable additional costs for pharmaceutical and medical device companies.”<br />
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Ms Kedgley said she was pleased the arrangement between the two countries’ Governments did not include natural health products.<br />
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“We’re pleased the Government stuck to its promise not to regulate natural health products through a trans-Tasman agency, and instead chose to work with the Green Party in developing a cost-effective New Zealand-based regulator.<br />
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“However, we sincerely hope this isn’t a back-door-way of absorbing natural health products into a heavy-handed Australian scheme when it’s reviewed in five years’ time.”<br />
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In his announcement earlier today, Mr Key alluded to natural health products eventually being included in the scheme.</p>