The Medical Technology Association of Australia has welcomed the release of reports by MTPConnect highlighting the role played by the medtech sector in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The MTPConnect COVID-19 Impact Report was released yesterday with a supplementary report developed in collaboration with the MTAA. The supplementary report details how the sector came together and worked with the government in response to the pandemic.
“The impacts of COVID-19 will be felt across the MedTech industry for many years to come,” said Ian Burgess, CEO of MTAA.
“The industry is facing significant challenges, including exponential increases in freight costs, the Aussie dollar and the ongoing impacts of the elective surgery pause.
“Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, we have seen MedTech companies come together in an unprecedented effort to support the Government’s response,” said Mr Burgess.
MTAA said the sector collaborated with the federal government in response to the pandemic and successfully secured supplies of essential medical equipment, not only through the global supply chain but through a number of innovative local partnerships that were able to quickly ramp up Australian manufacturing.
“The MedTech industry has been instrumental in securing essential supplies of ventilators, test kits and PPE on behalf of the Australian Government,” said Mr Burgess.
In addition, a consortium of companies was brought together to build a locally produced ventilator.
“The efforts undertaken so far represent a significant change in our contemporary understanding of our domestic manufacturing capacity and demonstrate an untapped potential for more homegrown medtech, a potential we may never have realised without the unprecedented threat of a global pandemic,” continued Mr Burgess.
“The tangible outcomes of what is coming to be known as the ‘Australia Model’ of government and industry collaboration have demonstrated the role that the MedTech can play in pandemic planning and what can be achieved when government and industry come together in a genuinely cooperative effort.
“As an industry, we look forward to what we can continue to achieve together in order to strengthen not only Australia’s preparedness for future pandemics, but our healthcare system as a whole.”