The Australian Dental Industry Association (ADIA) has welcomed the appointment of Greg Hunt as the Australian Minister for Health and Aged Care. At the same time, the association has signalled its intent to work with the new minister to cut the red tape associated with supplying dental products.
“Red tape abounds in the dental industry. For importers of products, it can be a challenge to bring new and innovative products to market as Australian regulatory requirements differ to those of comparable overseas markets,” said ADIA CEO Troy Williams.
“We look forward to working with Mr Hunt to remove the unnecessary regulatory duplication that increases the cost and time associated with introducing new dental products to the Australian market.”
The ADIA believes that a major priority for the new minister should be to ensure that the Australian government’s response to the review of medicines and medical device regulation is implemented in full, and in a timely manner.
“ADIA is a strong advocate for a regulatory framework for dental products that 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 Australian government’s proposed reforms go a long way to achieving this,” Williams said.
He also paid tribute to the former Minister, Sussan Ley.
“ADIA found Ms Ley to be a highly accessible minister attuned to the issues that dental product manufacturers and suppliers face. The changes to medicine and medical device regulation, which are supported by ADIA, are largely a result of her leadership.”
ADIA expects to provide a briefing to the new minister when parliament reconvenes next month.