New science strategy prepares regulatory scientists for the future

The Health Products Regulation Group (HPRG) in the Department of Health has published a new regulatory science strategy to ensure regulatory scientists are prepared for future challenges and emerging technologies.

The strategy sets the direction over the next five-years for scientists in the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), which regulates medicines and medical devices, and the Office of Drug Control (ODC), which regulates the import, export and manufacture of controlled drugs as well as the cultivation of medicinal cannabis.

The ways in which Australians manage their health are changing. Gene therapies, 3D-printing and new health software applications are just a few examples of developments in a rapidly evolving field. Making the best possible regulatory decisions in this environment requires our regulatory scientists to be capable, collaborative, communicative and responsive.

The strategy focuses on four key areas:

1. maintain and build skills in regulatory science
2. improve domestic and international collaboration with other government agencies, scientific organisations and regulators
3. increase responsiveness to emerging technologies
4. improve communication and engagement with stakeholders about regulatory science.

Initiatives in each of these areas will be implemented in a step-wise approach over the next five years.

Find out more in the HPRG Regulatory Science Strategy 2020-2025.