AVA submission on the draft NSW Medicine, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation

The NSW Ministry of Health sought feedback on the Exposure Draft Medicines, Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Regulation and its Regulatory Impact Statement. 

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) has submitted a detailed response to the NSW Ministry of Health regarding the proposed NSW Medicines, Poisons, and Therapeutic Goods Regulation. Our submission voices significant concerns, elucidates the adverse effects, and points out the unintended consequences that the proposed regulation would have on veterinary practitioners and the animals under their care. The full AVA submission can be accessed here.

In our submission, the AVA has provided comprehensive feedback, highlighting critical issues within the proposed regulation. We have suggested necessary amendments and additions, offering a broader perspective on the MPTG framework as it pertains to veterinary practice in NSW. Our submission addresses sixteen crucial points that require addressing in the MPTG regulations to reflect the current high standards of veterinary practice.

We have also provided the Ministry of Health with background and insights of the veterinary profession and veterinary medicine. Our emphasis is on the need for clear, specific guidance in the MPTG regulation, tailored to meet the unique demands of veterinary medicine. This is essential for ensuring effective care and protecting the health and welfare of animals.

A particularly concerning aspect of the proposed regulation's development is the omission of veterinary practice representatives, including the AVA, from the list of consulted stakeholders. This lack of veterinary expertise and representation in the regulation’s formulation has led to several unintended and detrimental consequences associated with the proposed regulation.

The AVA is grateful for the valuable feedback from our members, which has been crucial in shaping our representations and submission. We are also heartened to see that many members have followed our encouragement to submit their individual concerns, echoing the issues highlighted by the AVA.