COMMUNITY AFFAIRS REFERENCES COMMITTEE—REFERENCE

Senator Xenophon, pursuant to notice of motion not objected to as a formal motion, moved business of the Senate notice of motion no. 3—

 (1) That the following matter be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 31 May 2012:

  The role of the Government and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regarding the approval and monitoring of medical devices listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods, including:

  (a) the TGA's approval, monitoring, withdrawal and follow-up of the Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) breast implants;

  (b) the procedures the TGA has in place to continuously monitor relevant information in relation to device manufacturers and sponsors, including the legal or approval issues both in Australia and overseas;

  (c) information provided to the Government in relation to the PIP breast implants;

  (d) the impact of PIP breast implant failures on Australian patients;

  (e) the procedures the TGA has in place to assess the risk to Australian patients if devices available in Australia are the subject of warnings or withdrawals overseas;

  (f) the procedures the TGA has in place to communicate device information (including withdrawal information) to the general public, with a focus on affected patients; and

  (g) the ability of the TGA to undertake or commission research in relation to specific areas of concern regarding devices, such as metal-on-metal implants.

 (2) That, in conducting its inquiry, the committee should consider:

  (a) the report and findings of the 2011 Community Affairs References Committee inquiry into medical devices; and

  (b) any action the Government and the TGA have taken or intend to take in relation to the 2011 report and recommendations.

Question put and passed.