Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has tested the second batch of medication from Tonga under an Australian Aid programme which aims to provide safe access to medicine for participating Pacific countries.
The Pacific Medicines Testing Programme assures the safety of medicines in the region and provides participating countries with the opportunity to have up to five medicines tested per year, at no cost, in Australia’s world-class TGA testing facilities.
Other participating countries include Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
The first medicine tested from Tonga was a batch of insulin which had to be moved following Cyclone Gita.
The Principal Pharmacist for Tonga Health, Melenaite Mahe, said she was pleased with the assurance provided by the results.
“Our medical storage was affected by Cyclone Gita where the electricity was down for one week and we needed to keep the insulin in cool storage. While alternative storage was arranged during that time, the testing programme was an opportunity to determine whether the medication still maintained good quality [which it did].”
Tonga sent two batches for testing in 2018 and looks to send more through the programme, if needed.
The supply of quality medicines is a long-standing issue for many nations in the Pacific. Under the Pacific Medicines Testing Programme, participating countries can not only test their own supplies of medicines, but also share the results of testing with other participating countries.
The programme, which will run from 2018-2020, prioritises the testing of antibiotics and medicines for treating non-communicable diseases.
The Pacific Medicines Testing Programme is part of Australia’s commitment to stepping up engagement in the Pacific, helping to build safe and strong communities.