Editor's Note: Since the recent PAN crisis, when a large number of complementary medicines were involved in a product recall, the Federal Government took the opportunity to establish an "expert committee" to work out new ways of controlling these products.
There have been some concerns as to the direction this committee would take, and whether the final result would be of benefit to the end user.
The following is a brief update.

·The Parliamentary Secretary, Trish Worth, has established an Advisory Committee to ensure that the Government response to the Expert Committee's recommendations is developed and delivered at the end of May.

The Committee comprises:

Dr Michael Bollen (Chair)
Christopher Dean
Prof Stephen Myers
Prof Alan Bensoussan
Rob Shaw (NZ industry)
Juliet Seifert
Prof Tony Smith (Chair CMEC)
Nicola Ballendin (ACA)

* Dr Bollen met with the CHC Executive Director recently and repeated that the core objective of the Review was to ensure the provision of good quality healthcare, by ensuring quality, safety and efficacy (where possible), the primacy of the consumer's right to know, and the need for a high level of ethical behavior in line with "first do no harm'.

* Dr Bollen emphasized that this Advisory Committee is independent of the TGA, and is to consider the adequacy of the Government response in relation to the initial report and the submissions received.

* The Advisory Committee which met for the first time yesterday, will also assist with prioritization, and in identifying problems and proposing solutions, and to clarify inconsistencies and processes.

* This Committee will also review the implementation process after 12 months and possibly after 6 months to identify progress, difficulties, and any need for re-prioritization.

* Over 90 submissions have been received, and while it is understood that there is a great deal of support and commonality in the responses on many recommendations, there is also a general call for consultation on those issues where there is some difference of opinion or some contention.

* Whilst acknowledging any confidentiality issues, the Committee members can consult with their constituency and provide feedback to the Chair.

* Many politicians that the CHC met with last week have indicated their interest in being updated on the progress of the Expert Committee's recommendations, and to assist at a political level if there are major concerns over the direction that is being taken.

* Past experience with Dr Bollen has confirmed his intent to be fair and balanced in undertaking this project, and the CHC is confident that his intent is to get the best outcome for consumers and the industry.

· The CHC will continue to monitor the progress of the committee and will ensure that members are kept informed of any developments as they arise.