On this page: Involvement in TGA activities | Activities | Satisfaction with activities

Involvement in TGA activities

A total of 692 participants in the survey highlighted involvement in activities conducted by the TGA in the last 12 months (Table 44 and Figure 60). This represents around 37% of respondents to the question. The most common participation was in the form of a Consultation process (414), Information session (368) or Webinar (301). While the most common response amongst those who have participated is to select a single form of participation, many of those who identified participation in the identified events highlighted more than one activity, with an average of 2.1 selections (Table 45).

Activities

A range of specific participation in consultations and events is identified. Involvement levels identified are shown in Tables 46 and 47.

In addition to the events listed in the survey, participants also highlighted a range of "Other" involvement with the TGA. This includes the following specific events and consultations:

Events

• Risk management.
• Auditing.
• 3D printing.
• ARCS sessions and webinars.
• NHMRC webinar.
• BAA conference.
• CMA reform information session.
• Fees and charges information sessions.
• Complementary medicines reform workshop.
• GMP forum.
• Pharmacovigilance inspections.
• FOI information seminar.
• External evaluator panel information session.
• Inspection program workshop.
• ISCT meetings.
• MMDR information session.
• CORS pathway.
• Stem cells registration.
• Permitted indications workshop.
• Sponsor information day.
• TGA information day.
• Webinars - general.

Consultations

• Black triangle scheme.
• Adverse events reporting.
• Advertising compliance.
• Australian clinical trial handbook.
• Autologous cell therapies.
• Classification of Leukaemia and Lymphoma Products (IVD).
• Communication plan for patients and health professionals on priority and provisionally registered medicines.
• Comparable overseas regulators - medical devices; enhancing sanctions and penalties in the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989; Options for the future regulation of 'low risk'.
• Complementary medicines reforms.
• Biologicals.
• Genetically modified organism consultation.
• Ibuprofen and Codeine rescheduling.
• Labelling.
• National statement updates.
• NMBA.
• Permitted indications.
• Pharmacovigilance guidelines.
• Registration and fees.
• Review of device to replace existing device.
• Risk management plans.
• SAS.
• Australian Clinical Trial Handbook.
• Neuromuscular blocking agents.

Satisfaction with activities

Satisfaction across a range of statements relating to events highlights generally strong levels of satisfaction across Consultations booths, Information sessions and Webinars (Table 48). Amongst those who have participated in consultations, there is a high level of satisfaction with the information provided (Nett satisfaction 75%). For the remaining measures, two thirds or more express satisfaction with the procedures, simplicity of the process, ability to provide input and feedback and overall satisfaction with consultations. Follow up on consultation processes is rated less favourably, with just over half of the participating group highlighting satisfaction. Despite the overall strong levels of satisfaction, opportunities to minimise the level of dissatisfaction are identified, with more than 10% of people highlighting dissatisfaction on the overall satisfaction measure and the ability to follow up on consultation processes. Small sample sizes make interpretation of further breakdowns by stakeholder category difficult; however, a general trend toward lower levels of satisfaction amongst Health professionals compared to those in the Medical products industry is noted.

Across years, ratings of consultations show strong consistency. Nett satisfaction scores, shown in Figure 61 below, generally show a trend toward slight increases in Nett satisfaction since 2016. Encouragingly, the overall satisfaction with consultations has increased from 63% in 2016 to 69% in the 2018 survey.

N=147-394

Figure 61 in tabular format

For those who have experienced TGA booths, the feedback is generally positive, with good levels of Nett satisfaction observed across Information provided (76%), Quality (80%) and Overall satisfaction (82%) measures (Table 48). These outcomes are accompanied by very low dissatisfaction levels of 4% or lower. Information sessions are viewed slightly less favourably; however, the overall performance in relation to these events remains strong, with between 71% and 78% Nett satisfaction across the three measures identified and generally low levels of dissatisfaction (under 10% on all measures).

Ratings on workshop events are very positive. Almost all participants express satisfaction with the quality of the workshop. Overall satisfaction is similarly high. On both measures, only one of the identified participants in workshops highlighted dissatisfaction with the event they attended. The in-person context of the workshop may help to explain the less favourable outcomes in relation to webinars events, which showed less favourable (although still generally positive) outcomes. Around seven in ten webinar participants expressed satisfaction with both the information provided and the overall event, with around 1 in 10 dissatisfied. Inviting direct and immediate feedback on these events may assist in refining the experience of participants over time.

Due to the very small numbers of respondents, comparison of outcomes across stakeholder categories in relation to booths, information sessions, workshops and webinars is not reliable.