Parliamentary Committee Backs Reforms To Laboratory Product Regulation
Announcement posted by Australian Dental Industry Association 17 Mar 2015
A report released today from an ACT Legislative Assembly inquiry into the sourcing and supply of custom-made dental products made by dental laboratories has backed calls by the Australian Dental Industry Association (ADIA) for there to be greater transparency in the information given to patients.
The calls for greater transparency in the source of custom-made dental products (e.g. dental crowns, bridges and dentures) follows community concern that such products are being sourced from overseas dental laboratories and are being used without patient consent or awareness of the product’s country of origin and material composition.
“That the ACT Legislative Assembly inquiry has endorsed ADIA’s recommendations on the need for greater transparency in the supply arrangements associated with custom-made dental products highlights the importance of this issue,” said Troy Williams, ADIA Chief Executive Officer.
The ACT Legislative Assembly’s inquiry committee believes that it is important for dental practitioners to know the manufacturing origin of the dental laboratory products they are prescribing and supports increased patient awareness through the introduction of a statement of manufacture.
“ADIA has long been an advocate for reform in this area and supports the committee’s recommendation without reserve. We have today written to the TGA with a request to commence the process of regulatory reform,” Mr Williams said.
The inquiry was undertaken by the ACT Legislative Assembly’s standing committee on health, ageing, community and social services which is tasked with reviewing the sourcing and supply of dental prostheses and appliances to Australian dental practitioners from overseas. The Committee notes the apparent growth in the Australian market towards the sourcing of custom-made dental products from overseas and that the trend appears to be global.
“The inquiry was a useful exercise as it draws attention to the fact that although the trend to source custom-made dental products from overseas continues, such products still need to meet the TGA’s regulatory standards,” Mr Williams said.
The Committee believes, on the weight of evidence provided to the inquiry and its analysis of the current Australian regulatory arrangements, that there is not enough evidence to support a change to custom-made dental product regulation at this point in time. The current regulatory regime addresses design, performance, quality and safety concerns without placing unnecessary regulatory burden on practitioners, manufacturers and sponsors.
“ADIA looks forward to working with the TGA to progress the recommendations arising from this important inquiry into arrangements for the supply of custom-made dental products,” Mr Williams concluded.
The calls for greater transparency in the source of custom-made dental products (e.g. dental crowns, bridges and dentures) follows community concern that such products are being sourced from overseas dental laboratories and are being used without patient consent or awareness of the product’s country of origin and material composition.
“That the ACT Legislative Assembly inquiry has endorsed ADIA’s recommendations on the need for greater transparency in the supply arrangements associated with custom-made dental products highlights the importance of this issue,” said Troy Williams, ADIA Chief Executive Officer.
The ACT Legislative Assembly’s inquiry committee believes that it is important for dental practitioners to know the manufacturing origin of the dental laboratory products they are prescribing and supports increased patient awareness through the introduction of a statement of manufacture.
“ADIA has long been an advocate for reform in this area and supports the committee’s recommendation without reserve. We have today written to the TGA with a request to commence the process of regulatory reform,” Mr Williams said.
The inquiry was undertaken by the ACT Legislative Assembly’s standing committee on health, ageing, community and social services which is tasked with reviewing the sourcing and supply of dental prostheses and appliances to Australian dental practitioners from overseas. The Committee notes the apparent growth in the Australian market towards the sourcing of custom-made dental products from overseas and that the trend appears to be global.
“The inquiry was a useful exercise as it draws attention to the fact that although the trend to source custom-made dental products from overseas continues, such products still need to meet the TGA’s regulatory standards,” Mr Williams said.
The Committee believes, on the weight of evidence provided to the inquiry and its analysis of the current Australian regulatory arrangements, that there is not enough evidence to support a change to custom-made dental product regulation at this point in time. The current regulatory regime addresses design, performance, quality and safety concerns without placing unnecessary regulatory burden on practitioners, manufacturers and sponsors.
“ADIA looks forward to working with the TGA to progress the recommendations arising from this important inquiry into arrangements for the supply of custom-made dental products,” Mr Williams concluded.
Ends.