Message from the Director

The Australian Government's response to the Review of Medicines and Medical Devices Regulation marked a key milestone in NICM's work to secure regulatory reform that provides greater incentives for industry investment in research and development, and has been well received by the complementary medicine sector since its release in September. 

NICM welcomes the recommendations, which include the creation of a new category – 'AUST-A' – within the regulatory framework, and we commend the Expert Panel and Government in delivering their final report.  AUST-A listing, if introduced, would provide better positioning in the marketplace for those products, provide greater consumer certainty, and opens up the opportunity for research organisations to work with industry to develop the evidence packages. The Review involved wide consultation with stakeholders including consumers, healthcare professionals and industry and will ensure an environment that continues to support safe, high-quality products while optimising the Australian climate for innovation.   

In further significant news, I am delighted to announce that we have a new NICM Deputy Director, Professor Jerome Sarris, who will join us in the New Year and will be instrumental to extending the integrative medicine research base in Australia as well as securing the continued growth of NICM.

We also celebrated a significant milestone in the collaboration between Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (BUCM) and NICM with the signing of an agreement for the development of a joint Chinese Medicine Research, Education and Clinical Centre.  Joining us for the signing ceremony and plaque unveiling were key speakers such as the Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, the Hon. Keith Pitt MP;  His Excellency, Cheng Jingye, Ambassador, Embassy of the People's Republic of China; Dr Tony Penna, Director, NSW Office for Health and Medical Research; Professor Xu Anlong, Vice-Chancellor and President of BUCM; and Professor Barney Glover, Vice-Chancellor and President of Western Sydney University.

Over the last couple of months, our researchers have been busy communicating their research presenting and networking at international and national events and conferences as well as their continued effort in publishing papers.  Our researchers participated in the Sydney Science Festival in August, and have recently travelled to Cuba, USA, and Tokyo to share their research and ideas with fellow researchers.

>> Read our Spring newsletter. (opens in a new window)