TGA's New Political Master Should Focus On Red Tape Reduction

The Australian Dental Industry Association (ADIA), the peak representative body for suppliers of quality dental products, has offered their congratulations to the Honourable Shayne Neumann MP on his appointment as Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing. In welcoming the announcement, ADIA said it looks forward to working constructively with Mr Neumann to secure reforms that that will reduce the regulatory burden faced by local manufacturers and suppliers of dental products that arise from the Therapeutic Goods Administration's (TGA) regulatory standards.

"Reforms currently being considered by the TGA will lengthen the time it takes to bring new dental products to market and increases the regulatory burden on business. The direct result is more expensive dental care for ordinary Australians," said Troy Williams, ADIA Chief Executive Officer.

ADIA believes that Mr Neumann has the opportunity to show leadership in regulatory reform and red tape reduction, leading to enhanced productivity and competitiveness within the dental industry. According to ADIA, this is best achieved by returning to a risk-based approach to therapeutic product regulation.

"The new Parliamentary Secretary has the opportunity to be bold and review the current suite of TGA reforms to ensure that they deliver a framework 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," Mr Williams said.

Mr Williams referenced the TGA's proposals to significantly increase the red-tape required to supply dental implants in Australia which is being proposed in the absence of any identified change to the risk profile of this product type.

"These changes to the regulatory standards for the approval of dental implants seem to be addressing a risk that the TGA has been unable to identify. Patients and the dental industry deserve better, so we are looking to Mr Neumann to do the right thing by them," Mr Williams said.

ADIA expects to meet with Mr Neumann during the course of the coming month and will use the opportunity to highlight specific instances of increased bureaucracy and push for accelerated international harmonisation and convergence of the regulatory standards for dental products.