Ok, it’s now 04 July 2020.
So, when will ECG be released in Australia.
I upgraded my Apple Watch specifically to get ECG, promised by Apple at that time.
Who is responsible in the Medical profession here for this absurd level of procrastination, please tell me...
Apple Watch
Apple hasn't made an application to Therapeutics Goods Association in Australia.
They have mislead Aussies in Keynote presentation on Series 4. That was swiftly taken off Aussies websites.
It is clear Apple doesn't value Aussies health. Nearly 2 years since release no applications have been sent. Apple watch 6 for Aussies probably will have no added benefits. Please Apple went is beef with Australia.
Apple is not going to talk to you about their negotiations and conversations with your government agencies. You have it backwards, you go to your elected representative and ask them to check with your agency and get answers. This thread somewhere at the start had an article from a writer with an Australian publication that had done research and doubted that the ECG function would ever be approved in Australia. Do some internet sleuthing, see if you can find that article, then contact the writer in question and see what their advice is.
Something very strange. Me and my wife both bought the Apple Watch series 5 in Australia apple store Sydney. After upgraded to watchOS 7. My watch shows ECG app and it’s working. My wife’s watch doesn’t have the app. So strange. Same model. Anyone knows the reason?
if You’re not in Australia, then please don’t comment on our political system or our rules. The TGA have issued statements saying they have not received an application from Apple.
My dispute with this thread is that the response marked as the “answer” to the initial question should not be considered the answer. It is a politically charged and incorrect post that does not provide a solution in this instance.
I'm sorry but you don't get to dictate who can post here and what they can say. Pointing out that the ECG has to be approved by your government is not political. Pointing out that according to authors who live in your country and wrote articles that were published in your country that show the current rules would not allow approval of a single axis ECG device is not political.
The original question was
Robert J McInnes wrote:
Who is responsible in the Medical profession here for this absurd level of procrastination, please tell me...
We gave the answer: It isn't really procrastination, the Australian government has to make changes for Apple's device to be approved. Some people on this thread disagree with this response but it's the only dang answer. We can't help people who won't accept that answer.
The TGA provides a log of all disclosures under the Freedom of Information Act at https://www.tga.gov.au/foi-disclosure-log neither this nor any search of the TGA website leads to anything from Apple.
I understand that the existing regulations would need to be modified to permit single-axis technology, but whatever form that change takes will be the result of negotiation, a discussion between TGA and interested parties, including Apple. Until a conversation starts, there is no impetus for change, and it can only be started from outside the TGA.
It’s not impossible to change government regulations, happens all the time, but not in a vacuum.
Why would Apple make a formal application for approval of a device that the regulations clearly say would not be approved? And while the TGA would have to report an application they would not have to report discussions with a manufacturer.
Apple has received approval for the single-axis ECG in lots of countries can you provide an explanation why they would decide to just skip Australia and move on?
As posted here earlier there are some new regulations that are going into effect in 2021.
What is the Apple COO’s Word worth?
I am now 74 years old.
Jan 17, 2019 bought Watch for ECG function/AFIB.
ECG not active in Australia, but at 2018 Special Event the Apple COO had said Apple "working hard to bring to customers around the world."
20 months later, it is reported https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2020/06/apple-watch-hearting-monitoring-australia-ecg/ that Apple has not even applied for approval and has declined to comment on why it is yet to put the devices on the register and on whether it has ever started this process.
I contacted Apple about ECG and got nowhere so would appreciate any suggestions on how to take this further as I feel I have been misled and ignored.
Isn’t the question why will Apple not give a clear answer about why they said ECG approval would be sort in Australia?
Call the Apple Helpline and you basically get shrugged off. If they know that their technology as it exists will not be approved by the Aust. Govt. then why continue to feature this so prominently in advertising to Australians? Doesn’t seem right. I have posted about this as below...
What is the Apple COO’s Word worth?
I am now 74 years old.
Jan 17, 2019 bought Watch for ECG function/AFIB.
ECG not active in Australia, but at 2018 Special Event the Apple COO had said Apple "working hard to bring to customers around the world."
20 months later, it is reported https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2020/06/apple-watch-hearting-monitoring-australia-ecg/ that Apple has not even applied for approval and has declined to comment on why it is yet to put the devices on the register and on whether it has ever started this process.
I contacted Apple about ECG and got nowhere so would appreciate any suggestions on how to take this further as I feel I have been misled and ignored.
Still "Not Happy Jane..."
Anxiously waiting to try iOS 14 and Watch OS 7, which have not yet been released in Australia (at least, not in the West).
An informative and useful discussion, thank you to all those who have contributed so much useful comment.
Keeping my fingers crossed.
ECG not active in Australia, but at 2018 Special Event the Apple COO had said Apple "working hard to bring to customers around the world."
20 months later, it is reported https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2020/06/apple-watch-hearting-monitoring-australia-ecg/ that Apple has not even applied for approval and has declined to comment on why it is yet to put the devices on the register and on whether it has ever started this process.
I contacted Apple about ECG and got nowhere so would appreciate any suggestions on how to take this further as I feel I have been misled and ignored.
Thank you. I will do that. A simple and thoughtful solution would simply be for Apple to give out straight answers when they are contacted by their customers. I asked Apple Care and went to Apple Help and Chat etc basically their answer was “they didn’t know what he situation was.”. To be fair to Gizmodo they asked Apple for enlightenment and it was denied. So?...
The buck stops with Apple. Customers should not have to trawl through discussions to get an answer to two simple questions. Have you applied to the TGA? What sort of timing do you see on approval.?
The buck stops with Apple.
Rather than making assumptions wouldn’t it be more straight forward got Apple to give straight answers about whether they have applied to the TGA and if so, an expected timeline? The buck stops with Apple. They should tell their customers wat is going on.
To get answers to this you can’t expect first line support employees to be able to answer you. You would need to be talking to senior level executives. And they aren’t going to answer you. The fact that Apple hasn’t applied publicly is meaningless. The same type of article was printed about Canada.
What reason can you state that Apple would intentionally try NOT to get it approved in Australia?
Apple Watch: ECG In Australia
