Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator Di Natale, move:

That the Senate—

(a) acknowledges that:

  (i) a class action against companies owned by Johnson & Johnson, on behalf of 1350 Australian women who had transvaginal mesh and tape products implanted was won last week,

  (ii) thousands of women have been left in severe, debilitating and chronic pain, as well as suffering a significant psychological toll as a result of transvaginal mesh devices,

  (iii) transvaginal mesh devices were not properly tested for safety before being allowed onto the Australian market, though Johnson & Johnson, and the associated companies, were aware of the potential for serious complications and they aggressively promoted and marketed them as a cheap and a relatively risk-free way to boost profits,

  (iv) women were frequently not believed when they told doctors of pain and symptoms, and

  (v) women are still not getting the care and support that they need;

(b) notes that not all the recommendations contained in the 2018 report of the Community Affairs References Committee, Number of women in Australia who have had transvaginal mesh implants and related matters, have been implemented; and

(c) calls on the Australian Government to implement recommendation no. 13 to ensure the women affected by mesh have access to the full suite of services and supports they need.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Since issues were first identified, the government has taken strong actions to improve the way mesh products are assessed, regulated and monitored, including strengthening premarket assessment by up-classifying all surgical mesh products from certain classes to another class, enhancing postmarket surveillance to make it easier to report adverse events to the TGA, introducing new Medicare Benefits Schedule items for the surgical repair of pelvic organ prolapse and the removal of mesh, introducing a range of resources to improve clinical practice, improving patient information by mandating that all device companies supply leaflets and cards with details of each device implanted, and launching the new TGA web hub as a central point for consumers and health professionals to find information on transvaginal mesh. The Australian government supports recommendation 13, but notes that its implementation is a matter for state and territory governments and the healthcare profession itself. The government has written to the states and territories to progress implementation and will table an update in the Senate shortly.

Question agreed to.