Circular use of medical device technology and evolving policy and regulatory frameworks

FROM SINGLE USE TO CIRCULAR USE Increased attention from Governments, health services and industry evolving policy and regulatory frameworks

With
Jane Crowe, Vice President Asia Pacific
Cardinal Health

Neroli Manning
Managing Director, ANZ at Cardinal Health

Dan Vukelich, CEO and President,
Association of Medical Device Reprocessors (AMDR)

SEGMENT
Filmed in Sydney | September 2026

Healthcare sustainability is increasingly becoming a strategic priority, extending beyond environmental goals to influence procurement, regulation, costs and supply-chain resilience. Against this backdrop, medical device reprocessing is emerging as a potential pathway towards a more circular healthcare system.

In September 2026 at the RegConnect26 Summit, hosted by the Medical Technology Association of Australia, Dan Vukelich, President and CEO of the Association of Medical Device Reprocessors, outlined the international evolution of reprocessing, remanufacturing and refurbishment of single-use medical devices (SUDs).

Drawing on more than two decades of experience across the United States, Europe and other major healthcare markets, Vukelich explored how these models are increasingly influencing sustainability strategies, procurement policies and regulatory frameworks. Reprocessing can help reduce medical waste and emissions while improving resource efficiency and strengthening supply-chain resilience.

In an interview with Australian Health Journal, Vukelich was joined by Jane Crowe and Neroli Manning from Cardinal Health, a global medical device and healthcare company. The discussion examined the company’s experience in the United States and its plans to establish a remanufacturing facility in Newcastle.

Expected to open in 2027, the facility will be among the few in Australia capable of remanufacturing single-use medical devices, with products returned to circulation following quality testing and high-level disinfection processes.

Vukelich highlighted the need for greater regulatory clarity around cleaning validation, cycle limits and demonstrating that reprocessed devices meet medical device manufacturing standards. “These devices are as safe and as effective as original equipment,” he said.

The speakers also identified opportunities for Australia to develop green MedTech manufacturing capabilities and potentially expand sustainable healthcare solutions across the Asia-Pacific region.

– Media access credit: RegConnect 2026 Summit | Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA)
– PowerPoint slides supplied by Association of Medical Device Reprocessors (AMDR)

Source: Written by Australian Health Journal using AI

Scroll to top