ACMD meeting statement, Meeting 36, 20 October 2017

Role of the ACMD in the TGA’s regulatory decision making process

The Advisory Committee on Medical Devices (ACMD) is a statutory advisory committee established by the Therapeutic Goods Regulations 1990. The committee provides independent expert advice on specific scientific and technical matters in order to aid the TGA’s decision making and other regulatory processes.

While the advice provided by the ACMD is an important element in the undertaking of the TGA’s regulatory functions it forms only part of the information that is available to delegates when they make a regulatory decision under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989. It is important to note that while appropriate consideration will always be given to such advice, the TGA is not obliged to follow the specific recommendations and advice given by the committee.

It should also be noted that information about advice provided by the committee may not become publicly available for some time after the committee has provided that advice. The purpose of this Meeting Statement is to describe in general terms the matters considered by the committee at each meeting and for it to be available as soon as reasonably practical after the relevant meeting.

Update on matters where the Committee previously provided advice and a TGA decision has been made

The application for a surgical mesh considered at the last meeting has been withdrawn by the sponsor.

The critical care ventilator considered for post-market issues at the last meeting has been temporarily suspended from the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods to give the sponsor an opportunity to address issues with the device.

Overview of the medical devices referred for advice

At the 36th ACMD meeting the committee considered the following devices:

• Two implantable knee joint replacement systems;
• Specific components of three additional knee systems; and
• Specific components of five implantable hip joint replacement systems.

The committee considered whether the benefits outweighed the risks for the devices and whether adequate evidence has been provided to demonstrate safety and performance through compliance with the Essential Principles.

Overview of the post market issues referred for advice

At the 36th ACMD meeting the committee considered the following post market issue:

• An endovascular device used in the repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

The committee’s advice has now been provided to the TGA for consideration as part of the TGA’s regulatory decision-making processes.

Further information

Meeting statements are made publicly available after each meeting.

For further information on the ACMD, please visit the ACMD web page or contact the ACMD Secretary by phone on (02) 6232 8734 or email: acmd@health.com.au