Role of the ACMD
The Advisory Committee on Medical Devices (ACMD) is a statutory advisory committee established under the Therapeutic Goods Regulations 1990. The committee provides independent expert advice on specific scientific and technical matters to support the TGA's decision-making and regulatory processes.
While the advice provided by the ACMD is an important component of the TGA's regulatory functions, it is only part of the information considered by delegates when making decisions under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.
It is important to note that while the TGA gives appropriate consideration to ACMD advice, it is not obliged to follow the committee's recommendations. Additionally, information about the advice provided by the committee may not become publicly available.
The purpose of this meeting statement is to outline, in general terms, the matters considered by the committee at each meeting. The statement is made publicly available as soon as reasonably practicable after the relevant meeting.
Update on matters where the committee previously provided advice and a TGA decision has been made
No decisions have been made recently for items previously considered by the committee.
Overview of the medical devices referred for advice
At the 90th ACMD meeting, the committee considered the following items:
- A mechanical heart valve
- Implant components of a shoulder prosthesis
- A radiation device to treat advanced pancreatic cancer
- Artificial Intelligence software for triaging patients
The committee assessed whether the benefits outweighed the risks for these devices and whether sufficient evidence had been provided to demonstrate their safety and performance, in accordance with the Essential Principles.
Conflict of Interest Management
Declarations of actual or potential conflicts of interest by committee members are managed by the Chair, committee members, and the Department, both prior to and during meetings, as appropriate.
At Meeting #90, there were three disclosures from three separate committee members.
One member disclosed that they had attended an educational meeting, with the dinner sponsored by one of the companies whose device was under consideration.
One member disclosed that they are an associate investigator on a grant not involving the sponsor, but other co-investigators on that grant have worked with one of the sponsors whose devices were under consideration. That member had no financial or other associations with the sponsor.
One member disclosed that in a professional setting they attended a meeting with executives of one of the companies whose device was under consideration.
The committee discussed these declarations and agreed that they should not exclude the member from contributing to ACMD discussion and advice.
More Information
Meeting statements are made publicly available after each meeting.
For more information see Advisory Committee on Medical Devices (ACMD) or contact the ACMD Secretariat by email TGAMedicalDevices@health.gov.au.