The Australian and New Zealand Governments have signed a Treaty to establish a single, bi-national agency to regulate therapeutic products, including medical devices and prescription, over-the-counter and complementary medicines.
The single agency, which will replace the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority (Medsafe), will be accountable to both the Australian and New Zealand Governments. The agency is expected to commence operation in 2005.
Reference
'Australia and New Zealand sign treaty to regulate medicines & therapeutic products,' Joint Australian and New Zealand Government press release 10th December 2003