Talking HealthTech: 317 – From Sustainability to Prosthesis List Reforms: What You Need to Know About the Medtech Industry in Australia. MTAA MedTech22 Feature Episode

This is a feature episode recorded at the MTAA MedTech 22 Annual Conference, an industry event for medtech professionals in Australia. The conference is put on each year by the Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA). During the episode, host Peter Birch has short conversations with various speakers at the conference, covering a range of topics related to the medtech industry in Australia.

Why you should listen

If you’re interested in the key issues facing the Australian medtech industry, this episode is a great resource. It covers a wide range of topics and offers insights from experts in the field.

Featured in this episode:

• Matthew Versi – Director, External Affairs and Communications, MTAA

• Dr Mike Freelander MP (ALP) – Chair of Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport

• Elizabeth Pettit – Director, Pettit Pharma & Device Search (PPD Search)

• Lisa Dubé – COO, MTPConnect

• Penny Parrish – Director, Prostheses List Reform Taskforce, Technology Assessment & Access Division, Health Resourcing Group, Australian Government Department of Health

• Dean Breckenridge – Chief Policy Officer, Ramsay Health Care

• Ben Harris – Director Policy and Research at Private Healthcare Australia

• Rozalina Sarkezians – Managing Director & Founder, Health Industry Hub

• Ian Burgess – CEO, MTAA

Engaging with the government

Matthew Versi discusses the importance of the medtech industry engaging with the government in order to drive policy and drive change. He emphasizes the importance of transparency and building trust with the government. He also highlights the need for the industry to be proactive in engaging with government, as well as being responsive to government inquiries and requests for information.

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG)

Dr Mike Freelander talks about the growing importance of ESG in the medtech industry. He notes that consumers and investors are increasingly interested in the environmental and social impacts of companies, and that medtech companies need to be aware of these issues and be proactive in addressing them. He also emphasizes the importance of being transparent and accountable in terms of ESG reporting.

Sustainability requirements

Elizabeth Pettit discusses the coming wave of sustainability requirements in the medtech industry. She notes that these requirements are driven by a range of factors, including regulatory requirements, consumer demand, and investor expectations. She also emphasizes the importance of companies being proactive in addressing these issues, and suggests that companies can do this by conducting sustainability assessments and implementing sustainability programs.

Prosthesis list reforms

Penny Parrish talks about the reforms currently underway to the prostheses list in Australia. She explains that the purpose of these reforms is to improve access to prostheses for patients, and to make the process of getting a prosthesis more efficient and transparent. She also discusses some of the challenges of implementing these reforms, including the need to balance the needs of patients with the needs of the industry.

Talent opportunity in the post-COVID world

Lisa Dubé discusses the opportunity for the medtech industry to attract and retain top talent in the post-COVID world. She notes that the industry has been heavily impacted by COVID-19, but that there are still many opportunities for growth and innovation. She also emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in the industry, and suggests that companies can attract and retain top talent by promoting diversity and creating inclusive cultures.

Local research and innovation

Dean Breckenridge talks about the importance of supporting local research and innovation in the medtech industry. He notes that this is essential for driving economic growth and supporting the development of new products and technologies. He also discusses the importance of partnerships and collaborations in supporting research and innovation, and suggests that companies can foster these partnerships by being open to new ideas and approaches.

Private health insurance

Ben Harris discusses the role of private health insurance in the medtech industry. He notes that private health insurance plays an important role in funding the purchase of medical devices and technologies, and that it is important for the industry to work closely with private health insurers to ensure that patients have access to the latest treatments and technologies. He also discusses the challenges of balancing the needs of patients with the needs of insurers, and suggests that companies can address these challenges by being transparent and working collaboratively with insurers.

Real-world evidence in medical device submissions

Rozalina Sarkezians discusses the importance of real-world evidence in medical device submissions. She notes that regulators are increasingly interested in seeing real-world data in order to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of medical devices, and that companies need to be proactive in collecting and presenting this data. She also discusses the challenges of collecting real-world evidence, including the need to ensure the data is accurate and representative, and suggests that companies can overcome these challenges by working closely with regulatory agencies and adopting a data-driven approach.

Patient stories

Ian Burgess talks about the value of patient stories in the medtech industry. He notes that hearing from real patients about their experiences with medical devices and technologies can help to illustrate the impact that these technologies have on people’s lives. He also discusses the importance of listening to and engaging with patients in order to better understand their needs and preferences, and suggests that companies can do this by establishing patient advisory groups and conducting patient focus groups.

Conclusion

This episode of the HealthTech podcast offers a wealth of insights and information about the medtech industry in Australia. It covers a range of topics, from engaging with the government and addressing sustainability requirements, to supporting local research and innovation and collecting real-world evidence. If you’re interested in learning more about the medtech industry, be sure to check out the MTAA website and mark your calendar for MedTech23, which will be held at the Sydney International Convention Centre on Monday, 30 October 2023.

_{Source talkinghealthtech.com}