ADIA Welcomes Health Minister's Reappointment

The reappointment of the Hon. Sussan Ley MP as Minister for Health has been welcomed by the peak business organisation representing dental product manufacturers and suppliers, the Australian Dental Industry Association (ADIA).

"Continuity in the health portfolio is important to the dental industry given the ongoing reform to therapeutic product regulation in Australia," said Troy Williams, ADIA Chief Executive Officer.

According to ADIA, a major reform priority for the Minister will be to ensure that the regulatory system for dental products is consistent with the principle that if a system, service or product has been approved under a trusted international standard or risk assessment, then regulators such as the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) should not impose any additional requirements for approval in Australia.

"This was the position adopted by the government in October 2014 and one that the dental industry fully supports. For manufacturers and suppliers of dental products it means that the latest and most innovative patient treatment options can be introduced in a timely fashion without unnecessary regulatory hurdles," Mr Williams said.

In actively lobbying for reform, ADIA is working towards a regulatory framework for dental products that is based on a risk management approach designed to ensure public health and safety, while at the same time freeing industry from any unnecessary regulatory burden.

"Over the course of this year we have met with the Minister a number of times to discuss improvements to the regulatory framework for dental products. These discussions have been most encouraging and we look forward to continued engagement on this point," Mr Williams concluded.