BRIEF — Fewer Australian drug approvals in 2018

There were 31 new prescription drugs registered by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in 2018, compared to 34 in 2017 and 41 in 2016.

Among the most commonly approved medicines were eight to treat cancer and three in dermatology, while 10 were categorized as orphan drugs and three were given priority review status.

The TGA managed to approve all the products within the statutory 255 working day period.