Agreement on new crisis management code across medical products

Media information Sydney, 14 June 2000

The implementation of a 'whole of industry' approach to crisis management based on world best practice; enhanced tamper-evident packaging requirements where appropriate and necessary; more clearly defined roles in the co-ordination and management of events such as in recent extortion threats; and communications and education strategies for all stakeholders.

Those are the results of today's meeting between the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), State and Territory health authorities, consumer representatives and peak industry bodies according to Mr Terry Slater, National Manager of the TGA and convenor of the meeting.

"This group meets on a regular basis as part of on-going industry/government consultation and this meeting today was set up to discuss issues on crisis management procedures following the Herron extortion demand.

"The timing of the meeting - in the wake of the subsequent Panadol extortion demand, is co-incidental but makes the issues discussed today especially timely", Mr Slater said.

The industries represented at today's meeting produce a wide array of medical products including:-

• over the counter medicines - the Australian Self Medication Industry (ASMI);
• prescription drugs - the Australian Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (APMA),
• medical devices from bandages to condoms to pacemakers and syringes - the Medical Industry Association of Australia (MIAA) and
• products such as vitamins, mineral and herbal remedies - the Complementary Health Care Council (CHC).

"Although individual companies, and industry associations, have long had crisis management procedures in place for dealing with crises, recent events have highlighted the need for an increasingly sophisticated response.

"The guidelines will be underpinned by appropriate changes to legislation that will require a uniform, industry-wide approach to a crisis", Mr Slater said.

"Obviously, the circumstances of a crisis will dictate the nature of the response. However the need for ensuring preparations are in place across the whole industry for critical issues such as communications to police, the public, the media and employees underpins any crisis response", said President of the ASMI, Mr Kevin Darke.

Mr Euan Murdoch, representing the CHC, said, "This was an important forum for the industry, allowing the sharing of information about how to best deal with crises that could befall any manufacturer".

Supporting these initiatives, Helen Hopkins from the Consumers' Health Forum of Australia, said, "timely and effective communication about a recall, where to obtain more information or treatment alternatives if required, are critical issues for consumer safety".

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For further information contact: Rita Maclachlan, Director, Conformity Assessment Branch, TGA

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