Australia's complementary medicine packs will feature more country-of-origin labelling as the result of a new partnership between the industry and the Australian Made Campaign.
The Australian Made Campaign has made progress in implementing country-of-origin branding on many Australian products, and has now partnered with Complementary Medicines Australia (CMA).
As a result of the partnership, complementary medicine manufacturers will have streamlined access to Australian Made certification, and greater visibility at trade shows and events in export markets.
Although currently voluntary, country-of-origin branding has become a significant competitive advantage for local manufacturers in recent years, according to CMA CEO Carl Gibson.
“The industry in Australia is uniquely regulated, setting us apart from the rest of the world,” he said.
“Unlike our competitors overseas, Australia’s complementary medicine industry is regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Association, which requires stringent quality assessments of raw materials and pharmaceutical-grade manufacturing facilities.
“We see the iconic green-and-gold Australian Made kangaroo logo as the most distinctive way to promote Australia’s 'clean and green’ complementary medicines to the world.”
Australian Made Campaign chief executive Ian Harrison said it was pleasing to see Complementary Medicines Australia taking a strong stance on country-of-origin branding.
“Complementary Medicines Australia is taking the lead on an important issue which has the potential to drive considerable industry growth and improve transparency for consumers,” he said.
Over the past 12 months Australia’s complementary medicine exports have doubled, and in two years the industry has grown in value from $2.5 to $4.2 billion.
Multivitamins are the new minerals, according to Gibson, and Australian Made products are now in unprecedented demand from Asia.
He said the Australian Made logo would provide crucial authenticity in the global marketplace, as well as a legal framework for the protection of exporters using the symbol.
Complementary medicines on the production line.
