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 ACMS comprises professionals with specific scientific, medical or clinical expertise, as well as appropriate consumer health issues relating to medicines.
Appointed members
Chair
Associate Professor Bridin Murnion is a practising physician in acute care, with fellowships in clinical pharmacology, pain medicine, and addiction medicine. She has 20 years’ experience working in the NSW public health system providing clinical pharmacology, addiction, pain, and clinical toxicology care, and has also held multiple roles at a local and state level in medication governance and safety. Associate Professor Murnion is currently the acting Chair of the Medical Committee of NSW Health, and also the President of the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologist and Toxicologists. In addition to her clinical skills, Associate Professor Murnion has significant research experience in both basic and clinical pharmacology, predominantly in opioids and cannabinoids. She has also worked with the World Health Organization to develop Opioid Prescribing Guidelines. Associate Professor Murnion provides expertise in the regulation of scheduled medicines in Australia.
Members
Ms Elise Apolloni iis a community pharmacist and holds positions with various pharmacy organisations, as well as local and national committees. She has extensive experience in the supply of scheduled medicines, and working with consumers and multi-disciplinary teams on a daily basis to optimise medicine use. Ms Apolloni provides expertise in the field of pharmacy practice and industry relating to the regulation of therapeutic goods.
Ms Carol Bennett has significant experience in the medicines policy area. She was previously national CEO of peak health bodies including the Consumers Health Forum of Australia and Painaustralia. Ms Bennett has also served on the Medicines Australia Advisory Board and worked in partnership with NPS MedicineWise on consumer and health professional education and awareness about medicines. Ms Bennett provides expertise in consumer health issues relating to the regulation of therapeutic goods.
Mr David Froon is a pharmacist and has practised, managed, and owned pharmacies in a variety of different communities, including in rural and remote areas and a CBD hospital practice. Since exiting as a partner from his community pharmacy, he has pursued a more clinical role practising as a clinical pharmacist at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne, and as a Specialist Poisons Information Pharmacist with the Victorian Poisons Information Centre as part of a multidisciplinary team in toxicology at Austin Health. Mr Froon has extensive knowledge and practice of veterinary pharmacy, extemporaneous pharmacy compounding, immunisation, oncology, and new medicines. Mr Froon provides expertise in pharmacy practice, toxicology, and the regulation of scheduled medicines in Australia.
Associate Professor Katherine Isoardi is an emergency physician and clinical toxicologist. She is the Director of the Princess Alexandra Hospital Clinical Toxicology Unit, and the Medical Director of the Queensland Poisons Information Centre. Associate Professor Isoardi is also a clinician researcher with research interests including opioid poisoning, toxicovigilance, novel psychoactive agents, and antidotal therapies. She is the current President of the Toxicology and Poisons Network Australasia (TAPNA). Associate Professor Isoardi provides expertise in the fields of toxicology, pharmacology, and emergency medicine.
Dr Danielle McMullen is a practicing GP with interest in women’s health, mental health and adolescent health. She is a seasoned healthcare leader with a sound understanding of the Australian healthcare system across primary care and hospital care, both public and private. She is currently the President of the Australian Medical Association. Dr McMullen provides expertise in the fields of medical practice and the regulation of medicines in Australia.
Miss Jennifer Morris is a patient safety professional and healthcare consumer representative with a particular focus on regulation, governance and safety systems in healthcare. Miss Morris has qualifications in science, humanities, science communication, health quality and safety, consumer and community engagement and governance. She has brought her consumer expertise to roles as a healthcare safety researcher, patient safety investigator, board member, patient perspectives advisor, educator and public speaker. Miss Morris provides expertise in consumer health issues relating to the regulation of therapeutics goods.
Mrs Julie Viatos is the Quality Use of Medicines Manager at Consumer Healthcare Products Australia. She has more than 25 years' experience in regulatory affairs roles in the pharmaceutical industry across prescription and non-prescription medicines. She is a registered pharmacist with previous experience in community, hospital and drug information pharmacy. Mrs Viatos provides expertise in the fields of the regulation of scheduled medicines in Australia and industry issues relating to the regulation therapeutic goods.