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Head of Australia’s therapeutic goods regulator appointed Chair of international regulatory coalition

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Professor Tony Lawler, Head of Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), has been elected Chair of ICMRA, the International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities.

Professor Lawler was elected to a 3-year term by ICMRA members at its Annual Meeting in Amsterdam on Thursday, 23 October 2025. He is joined by the incoming Vice-Chair from Health Canada, and the continuing Vice-Chair from Brazil’s ANVISA.

ICMRA is a collaboration of more than 40 international medicines regulators, including representation from all regions of the world, and the World Health Organization as an observer. TGA was one of ICMRA’s 8 founding members when it was established in 2013.

ICMRA plays an important role in safeguarding global public health, by sharing information, responding to current and emerging safety challenges, and encouraging greater collaboration and harmonisation among international medicines regulators.

ICMRA also supports global health priorities and crisis responses, including those undertaken for Ebola, Zika Virus, anti-microbial resistance and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am honoured to accept the role of Chair of ICMRA, and I recognise the responsibility that comes with such an important global role,” Professor Lawler said.

“ICMRA is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together. It is united by a shared mission – to ensure that patients everywhere have timely access to safe, effective and high-quality medical products.

“This is a mission that transcends borders. Whether regulatory innovation, international supply chains, public health emergencies, or emerging technologies, the challenges we face are global in nature and they require global solutions.

“As ICMRA Chair, I am committed to fostering collaboration, transparency and mutual learning to meet these challenges. With the unique expertise of ICMRA’s members, we will build on the strong foundations and shape a future in medicines regulation that is responsive, inclusive, and resilient,” Professor Lawler said.

Professor Lawler also paid tribute to his predecessor Ms Emer Cooke, Chair of ICMRA since November 2020. “Ms Cooke guided ICMRA through some of the most challenging times in recent history, with leadership marked by clarity, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to global cooperation. She has shaped ICMRA into the esteemed, collaborative network it is today,”

The TGA is part of the Australian Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

About Professor Tony Lawler

Prior to joining the TGA in June 2023, Professor Lawler was the Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Secretary of Clinical Quality, Regulation and Accreditation with the Tasmanian Department of Health. This role included providing leadership to health professionals, system-wide clinical governance oversight, and the regulation of private health service establishments.

Having studied medicine at the University of Tasmania, Professor Lawler has worked in the health system as a Specialist Emergency Physician, Specialist Medical Administrator, and senior health public servant for almost 30 years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Professor Lawler was the Tasmanian Health Service Emergency Operations Commander.

Professor Lawler has previously held positions as Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer, President of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, a member of the Board of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care and the Council of the National Health and Medical Research Council, and Deputy Head of the Tasmanian School of Medicine.

Professor Lawler holds Professorial positions at the University of Tasmania, and the Australian National University.

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