COCIR fully supports the European Commission's new innovation strategy 'The Innovation Union' which aims to turn ideas into jobs, green growth and social progress, according to the Commission Communication.
The Innovation Union will be one of the building blocks of the EU 2020 Strategy and sets out approaches to boost innovation on climate change, energy and food security, health and addresses the needs of an ageing population. COCIR welcomes this high-level coordinated policy approach. Dealing with health challenges particularly the ageing population is one of COCIR's main focuses as guided by the COCIR White Paper on Sustainable Healthcare. The Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing put forward in the Communication is of the upmost interest to COCIR.
COCIR members develop and deploy innovative care systems, services and products to increase efficiency within the care process and the life quality for all EU citizens. Strengthening prevention, optimizing the management of chronic diseases and supporting elderly people through advanced technological means as proposed in this Partnership is in line with the COCIR sustainable healthcare strategy.
COCIR also welcomes the various key elements to support Research and Development activities. The imaging technology and healthcare IT market is known as a highly-innovative and global competitive market. As COCIR members employ more than 500,000 well-educated people and invest 8% of their annual revenue in Research and Development, it is essential to operate in an innovation-friendly environment. The proposed elements will help ensure first-class research in Europe and sustainable economic growth.
COCIR Secretary General Nicole Denjoy "We look forward to working with the Commission and all stakeholders on the Innovation Union's health strategy and believe that advanced medical technology and eHealth can help make this innovation vision a reality. We will be soon share our position paper on innovation."
About COCIR
COCIR is the voice of the European Radiological, Electromedical and Healthcare IT Industry. COCIR is a non-profit trade association, founded in 1959, representing the medical technology industry in Europe. COCIR's members play a driving role in developing the future of healthcare in Europe and worldwide. COCIR moved to Brussels in January 2006, establishing a permanent office in Brussels to better represent industry in its relations with the European institutions. In February 2007, COCIR opened a China Desk in Beijing to strengthen its presence and support for its members in China.