Innovation and Science Key to Australia’s ongoing Prosperity

The Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA) welcomes the release of the Australian Science Statement by Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Senator the Hon Arthur Sinodinos AO, today.

Today’s Science Statement along with the Medical Research Future Fund, which will commence in 2017 and the $500 million Biomedical Translation Fund established under the National Innovation and Science Agenda are important initiatives which reinforce the Government commitment to the medical technology industry.

Is Australia The Best Destination For Clinical Trials?

This full day MedTech forum will provide an update of ongoing reforms in Clinical Trials research, implementation progress, roadblocks and success seen thus far to inform whether the long term goal of leading the world in clinical trial research is attainable. In addition, clinical trials sponsors, start-ups and researchers will have an opportunity to discuss and share their invaluable experience from years of conducting medical device clinical trials in Australia.

Speakers include: 

• Dr Catherine Bourgeois Vice President of Field Clinical Affairs, Emerging Markets & ANZ, St Jude Medical
• Anne O’Neill NSW Health office for Health and Medical Research
• Gordon McGurk Director of Clinical Trials Section, National Health and Medical Research Council
• Prof. Gregg Suaning Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, UNSW
• Prof. Ian Kerridge School of Public Health, University of Sydney
• Hugo de Jong Director R&D, PWC
• Prof. Tony Weiss, Biochemistry & Molecular Biotechnology at the University of Sydney, Scientific Founder of Elastagen
• Melanie Gentgall, CEO Praxis Australia

Date: 11 May 2017
Time: 9am - 4:30pm (includes a 1 hour networking lunch from 12:30-1:30 PM)
Venue: Medtronic Office, 5 Alma Road, Macquarie Park, NSW, Australia

Save the Date!  MedTech 2017 Annual Conference 1-2 November 2017

The Value of Medical Technology to a Healthier Australia

Healthy populations are the backbone of a sustainable economy – they are more productive and less expensive for both employers and healthcare systems. Australia’s MedTech Industry is playing a critical role in helping achieve those goals. While we face ongoing reforms we also face disruptive healthcare technologies that will have longer-term consequences.

MedTech 2017 will bring together the brightest and most informed speakers to help you better add value in this complex and changing landscape.

Date: 1-2 November 2017
Time: 9am-4:30pm (followed by MTAA Awards Dinner 6pm)
Venue: Doltone House, Jones bay Wharf, Pyrmont

Senate Inquiry into the Prostheses List pricing framework

The recent two days of Senate committee hearing into the Prostheses List Framework was very important for MTAA and our industry.

Representatives from MTAA, large member companies and local SMEs all appeared before the Community Affairs References Committee.

They were asked questions from senators representing the Greens, ALP, Nick Xenophon Team and the Government around the key issues of:

• Potential PL savings
• Arbitrary cuts
• Rebate arrangement
• International price referencing
• Public v Private

MTAA used the opportunity to reiterate our calls for reform and to highlight the key recommendations in our submission, such as emphasising the impact arbitrary cuts have already had, and rebutting the key PHI claim in regards to the supposed $800m in savings.

Therapeutic Goods Amendment

The Senate Standing Committee for Selection of Bills recommended the Bill be referred to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 27 March 2017.

A public hearing took place on 17 March where MTAA Director of Regulatory Affairs, Val Theisz answered questions regarding our submission to the Senate Committtee.  MTAA has communicated to Government and other stakeholders our support for this Bill.

NSW Medical Devices Fund

The Application Guidelines and Form are available on the NSW Health website

The Medical Devices Fund is a competitive technology development and commercialisation program that aims to:

• provide support to individuals, companies, public and private hospitals, medical research institutes, universities and the medical devices industry, to take local innovation to market 
• increase the uptake of NSW medical devices by the health system where they are cost effective and contribute to improved patient outcomes.

More than $35 million has been awarded to 20 outstanding new medical technologies since the Medical Devices Fund began in 2013. In the 2017-2018 financial year the Fund has over $8 million available.
 

Preliminary Applications will close on 3 April 2017

Victorian Medical Research Acceleration Fund

Minister for Health Jill Hennessy called for applications for the inaugural Victorian Medical Research Acceleration Fund, with two levels of funding available of up to $100,000 and $500,000.

The fund is part of the Victorian Government’s $20 million plan to ensure Victoria stays a world leader in ground-breaking health and medical research that has the power to change lives.

Applications for Victorian Medical Research Acceleration Fund are now open and close on 14 April 2017.  For more information please read more

Funding Grants for Women's Leadership Development

Women & Leadership Australia (WLA) is administering a national initiative to support the development of female leaders across Australia’s health sector.

The initiative is providing women with grants for leadership development.

Courses are part-time and delivered nationally via WLA’s blended learning model.

Available Scholarships:

1. Aspiring talent and emerging women managers can apply for $3,000 part-scholarships to undertake the Accelerated Leadership Performance Program (18 week course)

2. Mid-level female managers and leaders can apply for $4,000 part-scholarships to undertake the Executive Ready Program (7 month course)

3. Senior management and executive level women leaders can apply for $8,000 part-scholarships to undertake the Advanced Leadership Program (12 month course).

Register your interest by completing the Expression of Interest form here prior to March 30, 2017

New Medical Device Development Postgraduate study

Sydney University has announced its new postgraduate courses (Master's degree, Graduate Diploma & Graduate Certificate) in Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Development.

MTAA was invited to participate in the Advisory Committee in the development of these courses.

The Digital Health Show

The Digital Health Show is a premier forum where those involved in clinical practice, management and infrastructure in hospitals, primary care and the entire health and aged care sectors can meet and explore the future of healthcare. It is a marketplace where they can sample the technologies and services that are impacting their profession. More importantly it is also a forum where policy, implementation, funding and security of data is debated. 

MTAA has negotiated a 10% discount off the registration price for Members – use code 'EMTAA1' to receive your discount.