David Feeney (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

Firstly, I thank senators for their contributions to the debate on the Therapeutic Goods Legislation Amendment (Copyright) Bill 2011. This bill amends the Copyright Act to allow the longstanding practice of the Therapeutic Goods Administ­ration to approve similar product information of prescription medicines regardless of the brand of medicine. The amendments go no further than is absolutely necessary to ensure that this practice can continue, and the government believes that they will restore the appropriate balance between ensuring safe and timely access to medicines and encouraging research and development in the pharmaceutical industry through appropriate protections of intellectual property. I commend the bill to the Senate.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.