News and media

An independent expert health panel established by the Australian Government has concluded there is mostly limited or in some cases no evidence, that human exposure to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is linked with human disease.

The Department of Health welcomes the Information Commissioner’s final report following his investigation into the department’s release of a sample of data from the Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS) and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy, has announced that a Voluntary Blood Testing Program for people impacted by PFAS contamination from RAAF Base Tindal in Katherine will begin on Saturday 17 March.

The best medical advice and research shows that codeine is no better for pain than other over the counter medicines, Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy, said today.

Australia’s medicine and medical devices regulator, the TGA, has decided to remove a number of mesh products whose sole use is the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse via transvaginal implantation from the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).

An Expert Health Panel has been established to advise the Australian Government on the potential health impacts associated with per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure and to identify priority areas for further research.

The public and stakeholders now have an additional two weeks to provide input on the national Health Star Rating (HSR) system, as public consultation is extended until 17 August.

Following a decision by the European Commission to implement a number of medical device reforms, including to up-classify all surgical mesh medical devices to Class III and to provide patient implant cards and consumer product information for all implantable medical devices.

All Australian Governments have agreed to initiate the third review of the National Scheme for the Regulation of Gene Technology (the Review). The Review will be led by a working group comprised of senior officials from Commonwealth and state and territory governments.

Pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk A/S, in consultation with the TGA, has initiated a consumer level recall of some batches of their NovoPen Echo insulin cartridge holder after detecting there is a possibility they may crack or break if exposed to chemicals in certain cleaning agents.

Australia’s therapeutic goods regulator is implementing new arrangements to simplify and improve the handling of complaints about the advertising of medicines and medical devices to the public.

Media statement from Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy regarding media claims about flu vaccines.

Two cases of multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea have been recently detected in Australia. One case was diagnosed in Western Australia and a second case diagnosed in Queensland.