ACCS members

Under the Therapeutic Goods Regulations 1990 (the Regulations), the Committee comprises of nine nominated members and no more than eight appointed members.

Under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (the Act), the Commonwealth, each State, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory are entitled to nominate a member on this Committee. These Committee members are referred to as 'nominated' members.

Under the Regulations, the Minister must appoint no more than eight additional members, selected through an open invitation process. These Committee members are referred to as 'appointed' members.

Membership of ACCS comprises professionals with specific scientific, medical or clinical expertise, as well as appropriate consumer health issues relating to chemicals.

Appointed members

Chair

Dr Marion Healy has extensive experience and expertise in assessing and managing risks to public health arising from chemicals and other hazards.  She holds a PhD in molecular biology and was the Deputy CEO and Chief Scientist at FSANZ and Director with AICIS (formerly NICNAS).  She has experience in regulatory systems, particularly working at the science/policy interface to support regulatory decision making.  Dr Healy provides expertise in industrial or domestic chemicals, agricultural or veterinary chemicals and the regulation of scheduled chemicals in Australia.

Members

Dr Philip Barker has broad experience across chemical science and extensive experience as a research chemist.  His recent work in antimicrobial chemistry, and particularly sunscreen science, covers all aspects of formulation, regulation, testing and function.  Dr Barker provides expertise in toxicology, industrial or domestic chemicals and industry issues relating to the regulation of chemicals.

Dr Rose Cairns (BPharm PhD) is a senior poisons specialist and Director of Research at the NSW Poisons Information Centre, Children's Hospital in Westmead, as well as a Lecturer in Pharmacy at The University of Sydney. She is a member of the European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists. She is also a member of the Toxicology and Poisons Network of Australasia. Her academic publications are indicative of expertise and interest in scheduling and policy (including publications relating to methotrexate dosing errors, synthetic cannabinoids, codeine re-scheduling, alprazolam use and poisoning and deaths from pesticide ingestion). She is an editorial board member of TOXINZ, a clinical toxicology database used by clinicians in over 20 countries, and peer reviewer for numerous academic journals. Dr Cairns brings valuable expertise in the field of toxicology.

Associate Professor Richard Gordon holds a PhD in Immunology and Toxicology with over 15 years of research experience.  He is a board-certified toxicologist with the American Board of Toxicology.  He routinely evaluates pharmacology, efficacy and safety/toxicology data for small molecule drugs, natural compounds and repurposed therapeutics.  Associate Professor Gordon provides expertise in toxicology, industrial or domestic chemicals, agricultural or veterinary chemicals, clinicals aspects of human poisoning and industry issues relating to the regulation of chemicals.

Mr Christopher Joseph is an agricultural producer, consultant and active participant in agricultural industry bodies.  He serves the interests of regional, rural and remote areas of Australia with his work in health, education, water, regional services, communications and cultural issues.  Mr Joseph provides expertise in industrial or domestic chemicals, agricultural or veterinary chemicals, and consumer and industry issues relating to the regulation of chemicals.

Dr Sam Kovac is a qualified veterinarian as well as a collaborator in the University of Sydney’s Partners in Veterinary Education Program.  He brings with him industry experience as well as a unique consumer perspective and committee governance, having founded the Project Homeless Pet Charity.  Dr Kovac provides expertise in veterinary medicine.

Ms Annette Ruhotas is an experienced consumer and community involvement representative with expertise in social sustainability and a background in Civil Engineering. Her current health sector roles include membership on the Medical Council of NSW; the Clinical Council of Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network; the Selection into FACEM Training Subcommittee of the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine; a Non-Executive Director of the Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Limited; and a Management Committee Member of Maridulu Budyari Gumul the Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research and Enterprise (SPHERE) - Maternal, Newborn and Women's Clinical Academic Group. Ms Ruhotas provides expertise in the field of consumer health issues.

Ms Louise Wichmann is a qualified pharmacist with experience working as a clinical pharmacist at Fiona Stanley Hospital, Western Australia. Prior to becoming a pharmacist, Ms Wichmann worked as a small animal veterinarian in South Africa, England and Australia. She has also worked as a Veterinary Toxicological Pathologist at a research facility in England where she was involved in evaluating the safety of a medication in animal species prior to proceeding to Phase I Human trials in the drug development process. She also has several years of experience working as a veterinarian in the meat industry in New Zealand. Ms Wichmann provides expertise in the field of clinical pharmacy and veterinary medicine.

Nominated members

• Dr Anna Cruz
  Commonwealth
• Ms Amanda Galbraith
  Australian Capital Territory
• Jenene Kidston
  New South Wales
• Ms Lisa Hall
  Northern Territory
• Ms Uma Rajappa
  Queensland
• Dr David Simon
  South Australia
• Mr Martin Neumeyer
  Tasmania
• Mrs Effi Liden
  Victoria
• Ms Jane Carpenter
  Western Australia