AusBiotech is seeking comment from members affected by the Department of Health’s Prostheses List consultation paper - 'Options for reforms and improvements to the Prostheses List (PL)'.
AusBiotech is asking for comments on its response to the PL consultation paper. Its key themes, comments and issues include: facilitating access to new innovation; maintaining good outcomes for patients by protecting access to the devices they need; maintaining surgeon choice of prostheses; and improving administration of the PL.
The paper offers two options for consideration: major reform, or completely changing the system. AusBiotech is advocating against a complete change; it accepts that some reform may be needed to the PL, but that it is but small in stature.
AusBiotech supports Federal and State systems and processes that reward Australian innovation, with timely access to healthcare products for Australian patients through value-based principles.
The current reform considerations were initiated in 2017, when the Australian Government entered into a Strategic Agreement with the Medical Technology Association of Australia. AusBiotech has been actively involved in an Industry Working Group that has been considering options for reforms to the PL for the past two years.
The PL specifies a set benefit amount for listed prostheses. While the PL is often thought to be applicable only to multinational companies, AusBiotech members are typically SMEs locally developing new technologies, many of which will be destined for inclusion on the PL. Many of these companies have one or a few devices in development, and some are manufacturing in Australia too.
As the national voice of the life sciences industry, AusBiotech champions advocacy and regularly submits commentary on behalf of its members and the Australian life science industry.
For more information on the consultation, please email or call (03 9828 1405) Karen Parr, Communications Director, AusBiotech, with your views and comments by Friday 12 February 2021.