Introduction and a list of Regulatory bodies
Regulation and control of various toxic substances and foodstuff are important in every country therefore, governments usually set up regulatory bodies to secure the safety of food and other substances. Food, drugs and other substances that are consumed by humans and animals need to be tested and ascertained to ensure that they are fit for consumption and not harmful to health (Bryant & Knights 2010, 34). Additionally, the government must develop mechanisms to protect national resources such as soil which is essential in the production of food substances since the contamination of natural resources by certain chemicals may end up compromising the entire food chain. Thus, the government through various federal agencies, research facilities, state and territorial governments should ensure that toxic substances are controlled and kept out of the food chain.
The Australian government has put in place various regulatory bodies to safeguard the public; they include the Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC), which is charged with the responsibility of advising the government on drug safety issues; The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), which can be compared to the American equivalent of (USA’s, FDA), the body has played a vital role in Australia’s drug regulatory system (Australia 2010).
Others include the Australian Mesothelioma Surveillance Program which regulates the mining of toxic and potential health dangerous substances (Environmental Protection and Heritage Council 2010). The Centre for Applied and Nutritional Toxicology is a regulatory body that is responsible for toxicology research. National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is a regulatory body that controls medical research in Australia. The National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (NRCET) is a regulatory body that works in tandem with other agencies to take care of environmental and ecological concerns in Australia. The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is a government agency that regulates the use of pesticides and veterinary medicine ensuring that they are safe. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) is a regulatory body that ensures health welfare issues within Australia are up to date and medical services are accessible. The Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) is a government agency that ensures the environmental concerns are well taken care of and the environment is not abused within Australia, while the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is an agency that assists in the regulation of foodstuffs within the industry ensuring that it is good for human consumption (Environmental Protection and Heritage Council 2010). Lastly, the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment is charged with the responsibility of overseeing that water for human consumption meets high hygiene standards.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration Agency (TGA)
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is a regulatory body charged with the responsibility of assessing and monitoring activities to ensure that therapeutic goods (medicine, medical equipment and blood-related products) available in Australia are of an acceptable standard and pose no threat to the health of individuals within the country (Bryant & Knights 2010, 90-100). The TGA ensures that no citizens are harmed as a result of substandard and unscrupulous therapeutic products. According to the government website, the Agency is divided into the following committees; the “Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee (ADRAC), Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC), National Drugs and Poisons Schedule Committee (NDPSC), Complementary Medicines (regulated by TGA), National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS), the Office of Chemical Safety (OCS), Over-the-counter Medicines and finally Prescription Medicines”.
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
NHRMC is a medical research agency that is funded with almost $1 billion annually to set up and maintain health standards. It also ensures that the “National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992” that was passed by the Australian parliament back in 1992 to guarantee health and medical policies and legislation is fully implemented. This agency is the chief controller and regulator of all health and medical related issues affecting the citizens of Australia. The NHMRC coordinates its activities with other agencies in order to maintain high health and medical standards in Australia (NHMRC, 2011).
References
Australia, 2010. “Toxicity”. toxipedia.org. Web.
Bryant, B. J. & Knights, K. M., 2010. Pharmacology for Health Professionals. 3rd edn. Melbourne: Elsevier Australia.
Environmental Protection and Heritage Council, 2010. “Australian Environment Agencies.” Environmental Protection and Heritage Council. Web.
NHMRC, 2011. “Australian health.” NHMRC. Web.