Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Medicines Shortages and Other Measures) Bill 2026; Second Reading

Continued the debate

Zhi Soon argued that the bill strengthens public health administration by requiring pharmaceutical companies to provide at least 12 months' notice before permanently discontinuing reportable medicines. Briskey noted that the legislation expands the department's authority to request availability information for any approved medicine, not just reportable ones. The member highlighted procedural changes allowing common biologicals to share a single register entry, reducing administrative costs and regulatory burden. Zhi Soon connected these measures to the government's wider cheaper medicines program, citing significant savings for patients and increased bulk-billing rates.

Government response

Rebecca White stated that the bill strengthens the compulsory reporting system for medicine shortages and discontinuations established by the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. The minister explained that sponsors must now notify the secretary of permanent discontinuations at least 12 months in advance and provide updates if plans change. White noted that the amendments enable the secretary to require availability information from all sponsors of approved medicines. The minister emphasised that the changes reduce regulatory burden for sponsors with multiple similar biologicals and support the effective operation of the regulatory framework.