Medical Technology Industry’s commitment to ethical practice

As part of the medical device industry’s ongoing commitment to ethical practice, an updated Medical Technology Industry Code of Practice was ratified at the MTAA Annual General Meeting last week.

The Medical Technology Association of Australia’s (MTAA) Code of Practice (the Code) is mandatory for member companies and sets high standards for ethical interactions with healthcare providers.

The Code ensures that decision-making on selection and use of products by doctors, or hospital purchasing departments, is based solely on the quality and suitability of the product, not on inducements (perceived or otherwise) paid to the doctor or other decision-maker.

 While the Code is not legislated, it does serve as an industry best practice guide for all medical technology companies to follow, and the MTAA takes seriously any alleged breaches of its Code.

 Breaches of the Code may be referred, by the Code Authority, to an independent complaints committee for investigation, and may result in the imposition of financial penalties.

There is very high compliance with MTAA’s Code amongst members. However, device companies who are not MTAA members do not have such a Code. MTAA calls for the implementation of a harmonised industry code of practice which all device manufacturers and suppliers are required to adhere to by law or regulation. The MTAA Code of Practice would be an appropriate basis for such a harmonised code.

This is the 11^th edition of the MTAA Code of Practice. Updates include:

• A requirement for Code training to be completed by new employees within three months of commencing employment
• Amendments to ensure the complaints process is simplified and that any party involved in a complaint has a clear understanding of the process and what is required of them.
• Amendments to ensure alignment with the requirements of the recent Commonwealth Whistle-blower legislation.

MTAA is firmly committed to the high-standards of integrity and ethical behaviour of the industry as it continues to assist Australians to lead healthier and more productive lives through timely access to innovative and safe medical technology.

The Code is available on the MTAA website.