Edwards and Medtronic to appear at today’s Inquiry hearing into approval processes for novel medical technologies

MedTech News: Edwards Lifesciences and Medtronic are due to appear at today’s public hearing of the Parliamentary Inquiry into into approval processes for novel medical technologies and new drugs in Australia.

Pat Williams, Managing Director of Edwards Lifesciences Australia and New Zealand said “I’m here because I’m passionate about helping patients. That’s why I and thousands of medical device industry employees come to work each day.

“This inquiry into the approval processes for new drugs and novel medical technologies is extremely timely because currently tens of thousands of Australians are missing out.

“In our case, 20,000 Australians each year and increasing could be treated – without invasive, open heart surgery. If they are not treated, half will die within two years.

“Technology that would save the commonwealth money, take pressure off the public waiting list and most importantly provide life-saving and life enhancing treatments for patients.

“If we could align the regulatory and funding mechanism, many more patients would receive the benefits of innovative mechanical technologies in Australia,” he added.

Commenting on Medtronic’s involvement in the hearing, Liz Carnabuci, Vice President and Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand said “Providing access to novel medical technology is what we strive to do every day and is the focus of our contribution to this inquiry.

“Medtronic welcomes the opportunity to explore ways for Australian patients to have better and more expedited access to innovative, lifesaving and life-changing technology. In order to provide Australians with access to the broad range of technology already in Australia or in development for entry into Australia, we need clear, transparent and effective regulatory and reimbursement frameworks,” she concluded.

The Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA) appeared at the inquiry hearing yesterday, Chaired by the Member for North Sydney, Mr Trent Zimmerman MP.

“Our TGA is world-class, but despite some progress with novel technology priority reviews and considerations of other regulatory approvals, it requires further resourcing and more flexible approaches to efficiently assess new innovative technologies using post-market real world evidence for timely access,” said Ian Burgess, CEO of MTAA.