Reply from Sen. Lyn Allison

NOTE: Although Duncan Roads sent his email to the Green Senators as well, they have not acknowledged the receipt of the email, nor have replied in any manner.

Senator Lyn Allison (Dem) was the only Senator to respond. Permission was given by the Senator to reprint and circulate the reply. See below.

From: "Allison, Lyn (Senator)" < Senator.Allison@aph.gov.au > Date: 10 October 2006 5:56:05 PM To: < editor@nexusmagazine.com > Subject: FW: TGA abuse of power with Alternative Health Products

Thanks for your message, Duncan

I am aware of much of the unfair treatment of the alternative health sector by the TGA and have conducted forums on the subject and had the TGA along to explain themselves and pursued the issues in Senate Estimates. I think however it is more than the TGA being difficult. The 'conventional' medical/hospital sector and the pharma industry is out to get its hands on some of the money spent on complementaries and keen to undermine its effectiveness and they have great influence over the Government. We did consider pushing for a Senate inquiry at one stage but it looked unlikely to get up and some in the industry were cautious about pushing the government for fear of worsening the situation.

I'll look forward to the letter writing campaign!

Regards

Lyn Allison