ARCS Australia Ltd, the peak body representing professionals in the MedTech and Pharmaceutical sector, this week announced a series of significant changes at its annual conference.
Dr Tim Boyle, CEO of ARCS Australia Ltd speaking to Australian Health Journal says, “These initiatives are central to strategy to build professionalism within the sector, increase capability and enhance the professional standing of its members.”
ARCS has launched a comprehensive Core Competency Framework tailored for the Medtech and Pharmaceutical sectors. The framework is designed to ensure members possess the specialised knowledge and skills required to excel within the sector, aiming to set benchmark for professional excellence.
“Our Core Competency Framework is a milestone in our journey to elevate professional standards for those working within the sector,” said Dr Boyle,. “It provides a structured pathway for continuous professional development common to all sectorial occupations and ensures our members are equipped with the expertise needed to meet professional demands.”
Expanding upon the Core Competency Framework, ARCS has also established international partnerships with the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP), the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS), and the International Society of Pharmacovigilance (ISoP) to recognise their occupation specific competency frameworks and accreditation standards. These partnerships aim to facilitate the creation of professional training pathways aligned with globally recognised best practice for sectorial occupations.
“Our alliances with ACRP, RAPS, and ISoP are pivotal in offering our members access to globally recognised professional pathways and raising the standard of Australian professionals through globally recognised professional accreditation,” said Dr Boyle.
“These collaborations help raise the bar and advance the professional standing of Australian Medtech and Pharmaceutical professionals on a global playing field.”
In recognition of professional excellence, ARCS will now issue postnominals to professional members based on their expertise. The aim of this designation is to underscore a member’s commitment to the highest standards of practice and their specialised expertise.
“The initiatives we are announcing today mark a new era for ARCS,” Dr Boyle concluded. “By establishing a robust competency framework, recognising professional excellence through postnominals, fostering international collaborations, and honouring our distinguished Fellows, we are setting a new standard for professionalism within the Australian Medtech and Pharmaceutical sectors.”
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Using human skin hair follicles to treat Alzheimer’s disease
Professor Michael Valenzuela is a science opinion leader, innovator and creative thinker with a career-long commitment to the prevention and treatment of dementia.
Following that he completed graduate medicine and medical training at the Prince of Wales Hospital. In 2012, he established the Regenerative Neuroscience Group at the University of Sydney, and in 2017 became the university’s first Professor of Regenerative Medicine.
Professor Valenzuela’s group discovered a new cell type with potential for regenerative medicine, a rare neural precursor cell found deep within the human hair follicle. He is the main inventor on several related patents and is the Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Skin2Neuron – a biotech company developing the first neurorestorative cell therapy for Alzheimer’s disease based on this work.
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Strengthening Evidence Through Health Research Where Most People Access Healthcare
In February 2025, the Australian Government committed over $22 million for primary care research, including $5.2m awarded to Professor Michael Kidd, Director of the International Centre for Future Health Systems at UNSW and recently appointed Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, to lead the establishment of one of the largest research collaborations in Australia focused on improving primary care.
The Royal Australian College of GPs says a new national multidisciplinary consortium for primary care research is a positive step forward to improve patient care.
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Recognising service in health regulation
In April 2023, Professor John Skerritt retired from his position of Deputy Secretary Health Products Regulation Group, a role he has been in since 2012. During his time at the TGA he had line responsibility for over 1200 staff involved in the regulation of therapeutic goods, regulation of gene technology and industrial chemicals and control of drug import, export and production.
At this year’s ARCS 2023 Conference, ARCS Australia CEO Dr Shanny Dyer paid tribute to Professor Skerritt and his service to the Australian health industry. She led a tribute with fellow industry heads, Elizabeth de Somer, CEO, Medicines Australia, Anne Harris, Managing Director, Pfizer Australia & New Zealand, Deon Schoombie, CEO, Consumer Healthcare Products Australia, Ian Burgess, CEO, Medical Technology Association of Australia and Arthur Brandwood, President ARCS Australia.
