About: In July 2023, Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration [TGA] designated Human Research Ethics Committees (HRECs) as the gatekeepers determining who gets approval to begin Psychedelic Assisted Therapy [PAT]. The Townsville Hospital HREC did decide to accept applications and approved their first application last November.
This presentation will cover: the PAT therapist approval process; the difficulties presented by the way TGA launched their approval of PAT; the knowledge that has been gained in the first year of the TGA scheme; criteria for reviewing a PAT application; working relationships with the TGA; lessons to be gained from those who already have expertise in this field: the Center at Zurich Psychiatric Hospital who have been doing this since the 80s and the preeminent research center in the US (Mass General Hospital/Harvard Uni); and the effort to coordinate results across Australia.
Speaker: Dr Hudson Birden
Hudson Birden is Chair of the Human Research Ethics Committee and Vice Chair of the Research Development Committee at Townsville University Hospital and Health Service, Institute of Health Research and Innovation. He also hosts the music program Postmodern Backlash on BayFM, his program sponsored by the Nimbin Hemp Embassy.