Health and medical
Over the past decade, Australia’s health and medical industry has grown dramatically in size and reputation for its world leading technology, innovation, high professional skills, advanced research, development and robust health system.
The medical technology industry in Australia has an annual turnover of $4.75 billion and earns an export income of $1.75 billion (2006-07). It is characterised by a small number of global multinational companies (approximately 20 per cent of the industry) and a large number of small and medium-sized enterprises (80 per cent of the industry).
IBIS World estimates that the Australian Medical and Surgical Equipment Manufacturing industry comprises of approximately 2,900 establishments, employing 10,320 people in 2007-08.
The health and medical industry is represented by manufacturers, specialised in niche applications in the fields of cardiovascular, diagnostic, hearing, orthopaedic, respiratory devices, as well as health IT, health infrastructure, services and clinical trials. The industry is also expected to advance rapidly into new fields of science, engineering, and nanotechnology to facilitate new innovations in the biomedical sphere and an increasing convergence of physical and biological technology platforms.
Australian innovation in this sector is showcased each year at key international events such as Medica Germany, Arab Health, HOSPIMedica Asia, Bio USA, HIMSS USA and HIMSS Asia-Pacific.
The key growth areas are:
- Medical and surgical equipment and devices
- Health IT
- Health infrastructure and services
- Clinical trials
Medical and surgical equipment and devices:
- Imaging/monitoring equipment
- Biomedical devices and implants
- Surgical equipment, general hospital supplies
- Diagnostic devices
- Laboratory equipment
- Dental equipment
- Health-related software
- Drug delivery
Medical devices in Australia are regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The TGA uses a risk-based approach to assess devices before they are entered onto the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.
The medical device industry is supported by Australia's entrepreneurial and globally competitive Precision Engineering Industry (PEI) which has critical links to Australia's automotive industry. The PEI researches, designs, develops, manufactures and verifies high-accuracy components, high-precision machines and systems. PEI enterprise is practised in a variety of technical areas, from engineering – mechanical, electrical, optical, and industrial - to medical devices, ergonomics, human support technology, materials science, physics, chemistry, mathematics, and computer science.
Health IT
- Health messaging
- Electronic health record
- Hospital management and patient administration systems
- Tele-health
- Clinical information systems, eg. pharmacy, pathology
- Asset management and supply chain management
- Health payment solutions
Health infrastructure and services
- Specialist and alternative health services such as acupuncture, homoeopathy and naturopathy
- Hospital and health facilities design, architecture and interiors
- Hospital management
- Delivery of turnkey hospital solutions via a HealthTeam Australia consortium
- Health consultancies (including hospital accreditation), particularly in developing economies
- Tele-health services such as tele-radiology or outsourced back office support
- Medical staff recruitment services
- Healthcare professional training and education
- Aged care services
- Pathology/diagnostic services/DNA testing
- Medical tourism
Biotechnology and pharmaceutical innovation
Australia is home to a thriving network of 470 biotechnology companies. Of these, 49 per cent are involved in therapeutics, 15 percent in agricultural biotechnology and 13 per cent in diagnostics.Australia has a well-established medical device industry, a strong position in nanobiotechnology and is internationally regarded for its expertise in stem cell research.Australian biotechnology companies continue to develop and bring drugs to market, including:
- CSL – the cervical cancer vaccine – Gardasil – marketed by Merck & Co
- Biota – the influenza drug Relenza – marketed by GlaxoSmithKline
- Peptech (now Arana Therapeutics) – IP related to anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) drugs – Remicade – marketed by Centocor, and Humira – marketed by Abbott Laboratories
- Sirtex Medical – the liver cancer treatment – SIR-Spheres
- Acrux – a spray on hormone replacement therapy for women – EvaMist – launched in the US in April 2008 through KV Pharmaceuticals
Useful websites
- AusBiotech – www.ausbiotech.org
- Austrade Health – www.austradehealth.gov.au
- Australian Department of Health and Ageing – www.health.gov.au
- Australian Healthcare Association – www.aushealthcare.com.au
- Australian Health Insurance Association – www.ahia.org.au
- Australian Natural Health and Wellness 2009 Directory – www.australiannaturalhealthcare.com
- Chik Services Health-e-Directory Australia Online – www.health-e-directory.com.au
- The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation – www.csiro.au
- Health Insurance Commission – www.hic.gov.au
- Medical Devices – www.tga.gov.au/devices/devices.htm
- Medical Technology Association of Australia – www.mtaa.org.au
- Medicines Australia – www.medicinesaustralia.com.au
- Regulation of Clinical Trials in Australia – www.tga.gov.au/docs/html
- The Therapeutic Goods Administration – www.tga.gov.au
If you are interested in Australian medical equipment and technologies and wish to contact with exporters, please contact Bożena Świerbutowicz bozena.swierbutowicz@austrade.gov.au
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