TGA Appointment welcomed by dental industry

The peak representative body for suppliers of quality dental products, the Australian Dental Industry Association (ADIA), has welcomed appointment of Dr John Skerritt as the new National Manager of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The TGA is responsible for regulating therapeutic goods including most types of dental product.

"ADIA looks forward to working with Dr Skerritt in the important task of reforming the TGA with a view to making it a more effective, efficient regulator for dental products," said Troy Williams, ADIA Chief Executive Officer.

Mr Williams said that a priority will be to secure reforms that ensure the TGA's approach to dental product regulation is based on a risk management approach designed to ensure public health and safety, while at the same time freeing industry from an unnecessary regulatory burden.

"The dental industry faces an ever increasing regulatory compliance burden and it falls to Dr Skerritt to ensure that this is necessary to protect the interests of consumers. As a regulator, the TGA needs to be mindful that insofar as regulatory activities affecting dental product are concerned, requirements put in place by the TGA increase the cost of dental care for all Australians," Mr Williams concluded.