Transtasman therapeutic products agency delayed

The Government has delayed creating a controversial trans-Tasman therapeutic products agency because it does not have enough support in Parliament to pass the legislation, National said today.

State Services Minister Annette King and Australia's Parliamentary Secretary for Health Christopher Pyne announced yesterday the establishment date of July 1 next year had been deferred.

They did not say when they envisaged the Australia New Zealand therapeutic Products Authority would be up and running, although they said the new body would be established.

National opposed the proposed agency, and health spokesman Tony Ryall said the decision to delay it had been inevitable.

"The fact is, Labour does not have the numbers in Parliament to force New Zealand into what could become an overly-bureaucratic regulator," he said.

"New Zealand industry and consumers must be assured that compliance costs associated with this joint agency will be minimised."

The Green Party also opposes the new agency because it believes New Zealand will hand over control of dietary supplements and other therapeutic products to Australians.

- NZPA