What is the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)?

The Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) is part of the Australian Department of Health.

It is responsible for regulating therapeutic goods, including:

• prescription medicines
• vaccines
• sunscreens
• vitamins and minerals
• medical devices
• blood
• blood products.

Effective and timely regulation of therapeutic goods is designed to improve the health of all Australians.

The TGA regulates the supply of:

• medicines prescribed by your doctor or dentist
• medicines available behind the counter at your local pharmacy
• medicines available at your local pharmacy or supermarket
• complementary medicines, including vitamins, herbal and traditional medicines
• medical devices, from bandages to heart pacemakers
• products used to test for diseases and conditions such as blood tests.
• vaccines
• blood products 
• other biologics.

It also regulates the manufacture and advertising of these products.