Drug Information Association - TGA Fellowship Program - pilot study completed

In 1998, the TGA entered into an agreement with the US based Drug Information Association (DIA) to establish joint DIA-TGA Fellowship Program. The DIA donated US$50,000 towards two pilot Fellowships, which have just been completed.

The long term aim of the Fellowship Program is to assist the progressive development of a body of experienced administrators, professionals and advisors in the South West Asian Pacific Region who collectively possess acknowledged expertise in international and regional drug policy development.

This loose coalition of mutually recognised expertise would be available to assist the progressive implementation of optimal drug use in the region, acting through the support and influence of a neutral forum such as the DIA, in a manner that ensures the involvement of academic institutions, government regulatory agencies, health care professionals and other relevant areas of expertise.

In the shorter term, a system of collegiate Fellowships will be coordinated through one to three month placements at the TGA in a manner that encourages a regional awareness and ensures common understanding of the principles and policies underlying different national regulatory systems and procedures, and the need for consistency with common regional and international governance practices.

L to R: Ms Lorna Filipino, Attorney V, BFAD, Philippines
presenting her DIA-TGA Fellowship Report to
Ms Beverley David and Dr Gordon Burch

Nominees for the DIA-TGA Fellowships are to be identified by their regulatory organisations as demonstrating leadership potential in drug regulation. A further requirement is the appointment of two mentors to assist the Fellow with the development of their program and recommendations arising therefrom. One mentor is to be within the TGA and the other in the country of origin. The latter may be appointed from outside of the regulatory agency.

Nominations for the pilot 1998 Fellowships were sought from the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD), Philippines and the Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV).

The successful 1998 Fellows were Ms Lorna Filipino Chief Legal Officer, Legal Division II, BFAD), and a joint group consisting of Dr Nguyen Van Tuu, (Deputy General Director, DAV), Pharmacist Dang Thi Minh Hang (Drug and Cosmetic Quality Management Division, DAV) and Mrs Vu Thi Loi (DAV Secretariat Division).

The joint pilot study was conceived by Dr Roger Bateman, TGA Executive Unit and managed by Ms Beverley David, Principal Projects Officer, in the newly established International services Branch (ISB). Discussions are under way between Dr Gordon Burch, Director, ISB, and Dr Suzanne Hill and Mr David Addison of the DIA South West Asian Pacific Office in Sydney, to extend this work during 1999.